AAI to install full-body scanners at two airports in India

Mumbai, Dec 1: The national airports operator Airports Authority of India (AAI) will soon install millimeter-wave technology-based full-body scanners at two non-metro airports on a trial basis, sources have said.

So far, none of the 125 AAI-run and five privately-operated airports have such a crucial security equipment.

"We have received two full-body scanners from GE Corp of the US, which we are going to install at two airports on a trial basis," AAI sources said.

These scanners, which work on millimeter-wave technology, do not compromise with the privacy of a passenger, the sources said, adding, "We want to gauge the acceptability level of passengers before installing them across all airports."

The sources, however, did not name the airports where these machines are being deployed or a timeline for the installation citing security reasons.

"One of these scanners is likely to be installed at an airport in the extreme North and one in the Western region. We will decide on airports shortly," the sources added.

At present, security agencies at the airports use door frame metal detectors and hand-held scanners besides pat-down searches to detect metallic objects.

In 2010, when a full-body scanner was installed on a trial basis at the domestic terminal of the New Delhi airport, the move had met with stiff resistance from passengers, mainly women, citing privacy. The move was following the 'underwear bomb' incident at the Detroit airport in the US in 2009.

"The millimeter wave-technology-based scanner addresses the privacy concern as it does not outline the body contours, but only generates a generic image," the sources said.

On the mass deployment, they said, it will take time as it requires both high investment as well as acceptance from passengers.

"Each airport will require at least one machine and each scanner costs over Rs 1 crore. So this requires huge investment. Moreover, travelers will have to be convinced that these scanners, unlike other such equipments, do not come in the way of their privacy," the AAI sources said.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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