Centre eyes all major global technologies

NEW DELHI: The government plans to upgrade its technological apparatus to be used for air passenger identification and for baggage checking. The Airports Authority of India has issued a global tender for the purchase of Explosive Trace Detectors, which are a standard security feature at US and UK airports, can trace explosives in a piece of luggage.

AAI plans to install 200 machines at all 77 airports within six months at estimated cost over Rs 50 crore. These machines are capable of detecting peroxide-based explosives such as those used in London underground bombings apart from other major types of explosives like RDX.

The government is looking at all the major technologies being developed throughout the world, sources said. Globally there are sophisticated technologies that are slowly emerging such as enhanced x-rays to spot hidden objects, sensor technology to sniff dangerous chemicals, and radio frequencies that can identify liquids and solids.

According to British consultancy company Jane’s Airport Review, these technologies costing around $100,000 per device, may be rolled out commercially over the next one year.