Modi fast: Ahmedabad airport gears up for VIP arrivals

Ahmedabad: It's not only city cops who have changed gear for the peaceful passage of chief minister Narendra Modi's fast starting from Saturday. Authorities of the city's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPI) have also swung into action and have held a series of meeting with different agencies on Friday to discuss security of VIPs and other dignitaries that are likely to land in the city to extend their support to the CM.

The airport officials had meetings with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the paramilitary force that is responsible for the security at the airport and air traffic controllers (ATCs) to enhance the communication among them during the arrival of flights and security of dignitaries.

Sources said that they discussed better terminal management at the time of VIP arrivals from Saturday onwards, among other relevant matters. "We must ensure smooth communication among all the agencies from the time their flights arrive till they leave for the venue," said an official. The agencies have chalked out a plan for handling the regular arrivals along with the flights of VIPs. The role of ATCs will be crucial as their immediate message to other agencies about the arrival of any VIP flight can alert the airport authorities officials as well as the CISF.

According to airport officials, communication between ATC, airport authority and CISF will be crucial. "Many dignitaries will have Z category security cover, which requires high level of alertness among all the agencies," an airport official said.

CISF is also gearing up for the task ahead. A number of VIPs, including some top BJP leaders, are expected to land in the city on Saturday. An official said that security personnel at the airport complex have been put on high alert in view of the recent terror threats. Apart from measures like anti-hijacking and anti-sabotage, mechanisms have been put in place to avoid any untoward incident. "We have also alerted our jawans who are deployed around the airport to look for any attempt of intrusion," the officer said.