Airport outlets await security nod ---RAW, police must clear outlets in airports’ security hold area

By Udumula Sudhakar Reddy

Several snack bars and shops operating within the security hold areas of the Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada airports are awaiting clearance or renewal from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in the new format.

Airport directors claimed that these snack bars were in the process of obtaining the “security programme” or renewing their clearances and their applications were being scrutinised by the bureau.

Vizag airport director Vinod Kumar Sharma said that a snack bar run by Vinayagar Hotels and Resorts Private Limited had obtained the BCAS security programme a week ago. He said, “Two other concessionaires, PK Hospitality and Offbeat Apparels, are in the process of getting it.”

Shops that are outside the security hold area do not need any security programme clearance. PK Hospitality has been asked for additional data on its 200-page document seeking clearance. “They have submitted the papers. It is in the process and we are hoping to get security programme approval in a few days,” Mr Sharma said.

Vijayawada (Gannavaram) airport director G. Madhusudhan Rao said, “Kandhari Hotels has been running an idli centre in the security hold area for three to four years. Initially they started with all clearances. Then they applied again as per the new format. Their application is processed. Ten days ago they received the security clearance from BCAS.”

BCAS Hyderabad deals with the security programmes in airports in AP, Karnataka and Telangana. Clearances are given based on police verification and Research and Analysis Wing verification reports.

Regarding the Hyderabad airport, a spokesperson said: “All the concessionaires mentioned have been duly accorded security clearance by BCAS and are operating at the airport for almost a year. Without the mandatory security clearance from BCAS, no concessionaire is allowed to operate at the airport.”

BCAS in its report had said they were awaiting verification reports from the police regarding three firms – Benetton India Pvt Ltd, Bata India Ltd and Aref Abdul Sattar Textiles Pvt Ltd. However, their status is shown as not operating.