Mumbai Intl Airport Ltd pulled up over ATC tower safety again

After failing to get any satisfactory response regarding the alleged non-compliance with the required safety measures around the new ATC tower in Vile Parle, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has pulled up airport operator Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) again. It said that the boundary walls of the said structure is so close to vehicle parking area that anybody can easily lob an explosive from outside into it.

"Our findings reveal that it's very easy for someone to throw an explosive inside the boundary wall (of new ATC tower)," said a source, aware of the content of the latest notice. 

A MIAL spokesperson said: "The ATC tower and its boundary wall have been constructed after taking into consideration all the security aspects and mitigation measures thereof."

The (AAI), which is a partner of the joint venture (26 per cent) of the city airport, had first broached the issue in November last year, after its safety audit found that the new ATC tower, built at a cost of over Rs30 crore, is a sitting duck for terrorists due to its closeness to the parking space. The AAI, also provides air traffic management services across the country. The story was exclusively reported by dna in its December 9, 2014 edition.

The allegations came at a time when MIAL has filed a PIL in Bombay high court against illegal structures around the city airport.

The findings of AAI safety audit revealed that the boundary wall surrounding the ATC tower breaches the required distance norm set up aviation safety regulator Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The BCAS mandates parking around the tower to be at distance of at least 100 metres. However, at CSIA, the parking slot is -15 metres from any given side. The audit also claims to have noticed a few motorbikes being parked at the ATC tower entrance raising further questions over the security checks followed at CSIA to guard the tower.

"The new ATC tower in the car park area of domestic terminal can be easily targeted by planting explosives in vehicles parked by subversive forces," reads an earlier letter sent by AAI to MIAL. Insiders say that any attack on Mumbai ATC tower means traffic disruption not only around Mumbai airspace but it will also have a cascading effect the world over.

MIAL, in their reply to AAI, undersigned by GM and head of security Zon Edamuttath, had then stated that as per the master plan, car park around the tower will be relocated in due course. At this, AAI had retaliated that till the car parking is relocated, the tower cannot be put at risk.

MIAL has also added that a mitigation plan has been prepared to reduce effect of a bomb blast, using unique reinforced cement concrete compound wall. At this, AAI had questioned whether any standards to reduce the bomb blast affect been followed and whether it has been tested and certified by any government agency.

However, MIAL so far has failed to provide any reply to AAI about the name and authenticity of the agency which certified the test.