Juhu airport can be ‘misused by anti-national elements’

Mumbai: In a report sent to the Mumbai Police top brass, the police officer who has jurisdiction over Juhu aerodrome, which handles helicopter and small aircraft traffic, has enumerated 20 ways it is “vulnerable to misuse by anti-national elements”.
The report says that so easy is access to any of the helicopters parked at the aerodrome that one has to only walk up to the flying machines. “It’s a matter of concern and I have already apprised senior officers of my department and urged Airports Authority of India officials to take necessary measures,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IX) V K Chaube, who sent the report to Police Commissioner A N Roy and Anti-Terrorism Squad chief K P Raghuvanshi.
When this reporter and photographer visited it during the weekend we found gaping holes in the fences and boundary walls, allowing access to anyone right up to the tarmac. The lone disinterested security guard deployed by AAI at the entrance didn’t even bother to ask why we were entering a prohibited area, let alone frisk us or examine our bags.
On the tarmac, there were five helicopters of Pawan Hans, four of ONGC, one of UB Air and two of MESCO. Indamer and Pushpak helicopters also fly from here, so does the Bombay Flying Club.
26/02/07 Mumbai Newsline

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Categories: airports feb 2007, safety feb 2007