The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security(BCAS) is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Bureau is responsible for laying down the standards of pre-embarkation security and anti-sabotage measures in respect of civil flights in India. Actual enforcement on the ground is entrusted to the respective State/ UT Police. Officers of the Bureau visit airports from time to time to monitor the enforcement.

The BCAS has its Headquarters in New Delhi. It is headed by an Officer of the rank of Director General of Police designated as Commissioner of Security, Civil Aviation (COSCA). It has 4 (Four) Regional Offices in Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai each under a Dy. Commissioner of Security (Civil Aviation).

BOMB DETECTION AND DISPOSAL SQUADS/ DOG SQUADS

To meet the increasing threat to Civil Aviation Security, the Bureau has established 4 bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) equipped with sophisticated equipment at the 4 international airports at Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and Delhi, to detect explosive devices/ materials at the airports. The officials and staff are fully trained/ equipped in dealing with bomb scare calls promptly and effectively. Besides, BDDS units help State Governments Administration in defusing explosive objects. Bureau has sniffer dog squads at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and Srinagar airports for detecting explosives and explosive materials.

A proposal is under way for upgradation of the Wheel Barrow Robot deployed at BDDS, Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai. After the upgradation these Robots will operate from remote control without any physical connection Barrow Robot deployed at BDDS, Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai. After the upgradation these Robots will operate from remote control without any physical connection by cable. At present Robots operate when connected remote control by cable. With remote operation Robots will be able to provide increased safety to the BDDS personnel while handling explosives etc.

Technology upgradation of existing equipment was undertaken and one RTVS (Real Time Viewing System) was imported and provided to BDDS Delhi in July, 1998. This enhances the explosive detection capability of the BDDS Delhi. Similarly VIPER upgradation kits were imported and provided to the explosive detector Model M-97 deployed at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Srinagar, Amritsar and Guwahati in July, 1996.

A proposal has been submitted to the Ministry for purchase of 4 more Real Time Viewing System for BDDS, Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, & Chennai. These will be purchased after the scheme is approved.

A proposal has already been submitted to the Ministry for replacement of five bomb suits which have become obsolete. These are expected to be procured during the current financial year provided approval from Ministry is obtained.

In addition to the above we have also submitted proposal for procurement of Hook & Line kit sets, Search lights, Electronic stethoscope for deployment on actual need basis.

New VHF R/T sets in replacement of old sets have been procured from Motorola India Ltd. These are bieng installed with the help of supplier of equipment and installation is expected to be completed in the coming few days at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta & Chennai.

During the year 1998-99 two dogs of the Mumbai Dog Squad died due to illness and replacement dogs, duly trained from BF, national Trig. Center for Dog; Tekanpur (MAP) were inducted as replacement.

The Bureau lays standards for pre-embarkation security and anti-sabotage measures and in this connection Airports Authority of India or Airport Operator provides equipment like X-Ray BSI, Door Frame Metal Detectors and Handheld metal Detectors. During the year 1998-99, AND division of Airports Authority of India had inducted 10 X-Ray BSI machines for screening of hand baggage (6) and Red. Baggage (4). During the same period AND Division procured 9 Door Frame Metal Detectors and 24 handheld Metal Detectors, according to the information made available to us.

The Bureau has a Contingency Plan to deal with emergencies arising out of hijacking and other threats to civil aviation. Among other things, it provides for the establishment of a Control Room at each airport. The Control room comes into action immediately on the occurrence of any emergency, like, unlawful seizure of aircraft, etc. There is a Central Committee at the National Level with Commissioner of Security (Civil Aviation) as its conveyer. Similarly, there is an Aerodrome Committee to deal with such situations at the airports. The Central Committee keeps close contact with Aerodrome Committee and issue necessary guidelines for handling crisis situations. The Plan is under review now.

Security arrangements at 101 airports were formally inspected and reviewed by the officers of the Bureau and about 3346 dummy checks were conducted by the State Police, Officers and BACKS officers at various airports. In addition, security survey of 3 new airports was conducted.

During the year 1998-88, 25 security programmes filed by applicants for scheduled and non scheduled operations including foreign airlines, were scrutinized and approved for operations. The practice of prior security vetting of schedules, specially in respect of sensitive and hyper-sensitive airports has been started, in close cooperation with Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Computerised system of Photo Identity Card (PIC) has been introduced by the Bureau in August, 1998. In this system issue of PICs at the international airports Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai have been completed. For extending the scheme to domestic airports, supply order for consumable has been placed with vendor and supplies expected by 31.10.1999, according to the vendor. Once consumables are received, the system will be extended to domestic airports also.

The National Aviation Security Programme as per the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s recommendations, has been prepared by the BCAS for India.

The Bureau has a Training-cum-Demonstration Centre, equipped with the latest audio-visual training aids, in New Delhi, where short-term training programmes are organized on aviation security for airports security staff, police officers of the rank of SIs and above, airlines staff, air taxi operators and Airport management. On regular basis.

 In addition, Training Teams are sent to the Training Institutions/ Academies of various State Police and Airlines and to selected busy airports to organize special training programmes on aviation security for the benefit of airports agencies entrusted with implementation of aviation security responsibilities. During the year 1999, such orientation training programmes were conducted at Varanasi (UP), Mumbai, Thiruvantapuram, Dergaon (Assam), Bangalore, North-Eastern Police Academy, Umsaw, Shillong, Rajasthan Police Academy Jaipur, A.P. Police Academy, Calcutta, Pune Calicut and Hyderabad Airport. So far more than 9000 persons have been trained in aviation security by this Bureau. During the last quarter of the year, we have planned more such training programmes at NEPA, Shillong, Bhopal, Goa, chennai, Aurangabad and Imphal.

The Bureau has arranges specialized bomb detection and disposal courses at its BDDS office complex in Delhi besides organizing briefing sessions at airports for the benefit of various agencies which help them in identifying the improvised explosive devices and to deal with such situations.

"Hindi Fortnight" was observed from 1-15 September, 1998 during which competitions in Hindi noting/ drafting, Hindi Typing, Hindi essays and Hindi Kavyapath were organized. The winners were given prizes. Cash prizes were also given under the incentive scheme.

In pursuance of Government instructions, a staff Grievances Cell has been formed in this Bureau with one of the Addl. Commissioner of Security, Civil Aviation as Staff Grievances Officer, to deal with the grievances of officers/ staff working in this Bureau. The grievances of BACKS staff are promptly attended to.

The Bureau is vigilant in this regard and follows all the instructions issued by the Government from time to time and maintains the vehicles properly.