To bolster airport security while maintaining passenger comfort, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is set to commence trial runs of advanced full-body scanners from May, marking a shift towards more efficient and non-intrusive screening methods.
The initiative follows the most recent directives from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, positioning the national capital’s airport among the few in India actively transitioning towards global standards of passenger screening. The deployment includes four scanners, with two units each installed at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. These machines are built on millimetre-wave technology, already in operation across airports in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Unlike traditional X-ray scanners, these new systems do not emit ionising radiation, thereby eliminating health risks, especially for vulnerable travellers including pregnant women and individuals with medical implants. Each scan is completed within three seconds, significantly cutting down waiting time and enhancing the overall throughput, which can reach up to 1,200 scans per hour. This not only accelerates passenger movement but also ensures the infrastructure is future-ready to manage growing footfall without compromising security.
The full-body scanners offer heightened threat detection capabilities by identifying both metallic and non-metallic items, including concealed explosives, which conventional metal detectors may miss. The machines display a generic 2D avatar rather than a personal body image, ensuring privacy standards are upheld. Furthermore, no images are stored, and the scanners are equipped with four touchscreen monitors for real-time evaluations. They can accommodate individuals ranging from 3.3 feet to 6.7 feet in height, ensuring inclusivity across all age groups and body types. This level of detail reflects an inclusive and gender-neutral approach in security infrastructure, aligning well with the broader vision of equitable and humane urban design.
The airport operator has stated that the IT interface for these scanners is nearing completion. Once the three to four-month trial concludes, a committee led by BCAS will assess the trial data and develop a comprehensive standard operating procedure for nationwide deployment. This phased and methodical approach ensures that lessons from the trial can be incorporated before full-scale rollout, thereby setting a replicable model for other major Indian airports.
This development comes amid a growing need to enhance airport infrastructure in an environmentally conscious manner. These millimetre-wave scanners consume less energy and require lower maintenance compared to conventional systems, which supports the larger goal of developing sustainable transportation hubs. The focus on safety, inclusivity, and speed reiterates the direction in which India’s aviation infrastructure is headed—towards smart, sustainable, and citizen-first designs.
While the success of the trial will determine the pace and scale of expansion, the move itself underscores Delhi’s strategic positioning as a leader in future-ready civic and transport solutions. If effectively implemented, the scanners could set new benchmarks in how Indian airports manage large-scale operations without compromising on sustainability, safety, or service quality.
