The Union government has sanctioned over 2,800 CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel to provide security at the upcoming international airports in Navi Mumbai and Noida. A total of 1,840 personnel will be deployed at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, while the Noida International Airport (NIA) will receive 1,030 CISF personnel. This move is part of the government’s plan to ensure robust security, including counter-terrorism cover, as the airports prepare for their respective launches.
The sanctioned CISF strength of 2,870 will secure both airports during the first phase of their operationalisation. The deployment will be led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-rank officers, and the manpower will be further increased as the airports progress through additional construction phases. The Navi Mumbai International Airport, being developed by the Adani Group, will be completed in five phases, with the first phase expected to handle up to 2 crore passengers annually. The airport is set to begin operations by March-April 2025, and once completed, it will have the capacity to serve 9 crore passengers per year.
Meanwhile, Noida’s greenfield facility in Uttar Pradesh, part of the Delhi NCR region, is set to become the second international airport for the region, with commercial operations expected to begin in April 2024. CISF, which currently provides security at 68 airports across India, will carry out various tasks including frisking passengers, checking baggage, and conducting anti-sabotage and counter-terrorist operations. The deployment of CISF at these major infrastructure projects underscores the Indian government’s focus on ensuring high security at rapidly expanding airports in the country.
