PIDS at IGI Airport continues to generate fake alarms

The status of Perimeter Intruder Detections System (PIDS) of IGI Airport is still disputed as it has been generating fake alarms. However, there has been some improvement in the system over the period. The PIDS is the four-layered, hi-tech security system that eventually covers the entire 27 km perimeter of the airport.

Senior CISF officials on the condition of anonymity said that among the 519 PIDS zones in IGI Airport, around 30-40 zones are deactivated which is also a reason for less numbers of alarms. The PIDS is manned by CISF to detect, assess, neutralise and track potential or actual breaches of the perimeter. The four-layered PIDS has physical and covert detection systems with taut wires, buried cables, about 200 CCTV cameras for live visuals, radars, more than 40 watchtowers and a patrolling track along the perimeter wall that goes as far as 27 km.

Even after spending almost Rs five crore, technical glitches seem to have handicapped the PIDS at the Delhi Airport. The official further said that he is not sure whether the PIDS can help the situation on its own. “Especially since most airports in the country are situated right next to the city. In Hyderabad it is functioning fine simply because the airport is at a considerable distance from the main city. But in Delhi or in Mumbai, it’s tough to rely on PIDS alone. We need a combination of manpower and technology to ensure water-tight sealing of the airport perimeter,” he says.

At numerous meetings, CISF had flagged issues such as false alarms, closure of particular zones and the like. At each meeting, DIAL officials had agreed to share relevant data with CISF, but the perception is that no data is ever shared with CISF.

Meanwhile, DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) said it has been cooperating with CISF to sort out all the issue.