Trials on at Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai airports to install full body scanners

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Delhi airport aims to install the full body scanner by the second half of this fiscal, while the Bengaluru airport is undertaking trials, two people aware of the development told Mint. The installation is likely in 2-3 months, they added. "The work is in progress, in accordance with the latest guidelines issued by the Bureau Of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

We hope to have the full body scanner installed by the second half of this fiscal," a Delhi airport spokesperson told Mint. Full body scanners can detect and locate forbidden objects concealed under a person's clothing. In contrast to metal detectors used extensively at passenger airports, these devices can also detect non-metallic objects such as explosives.

Several airports across the US, Canada, Australia among others are using this technology to screen passengers at security check-points at terminals. Also Read: Delhi airport to have full body scanners by May 2024, says BCAS chief This is expected to reduce the passenger screening time by 50%. Currently security personnel takes around 30 seconds to frisk a passenger, and officials expect the screening time via a full body scanner to be nearly 15 seconds.

The Mumbai airport, the country's second largest, is also undertaking trials of this technology. "Procurement process is underway. Full body scanners will be deployed at Mumbai in a phased manner.

In the first phase, two full body scanners shall be installed," Mumbai airport spokespersontold Mint. The implementation of full body scanners at Indian airports has been in the works since 2019. In April 2019, the Bureau of Civil Aviation and Security had issued a circular, directing installation of full body scanners to replace door frame metal detectors at more than