With the plan of CISF security at the Juhu airport close to being scrapped, the authorities are now planning to approach the
Delhi-based Directorate General of Resettlement. Sources said that the decision is being contemplated since the expenditure on CISF troops’ accommodation and salaries far exceeds the airport’s annual income.
The DGR is an organisation that falls under the ministry of defence and is assigned to find suitable jobs and job skill training for the retired military personnel.
“We will soon meet senior officials of the Airport Authority of India and DGR to take the plan forward,” said Juhu airport
director M. Yadgiri. The DGR is already looking after the security of the AAI cum defence run airport at Goa and officials said it is recognised by the authority to provide security.
“The expenditure on CISF is around `15 to `16 crore every year, whereas we earn only around `8 to `9 crore. Chances of getting CISF cover are very low but negotiations between CISF, Civil Aviation Ministry and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security are still underway in Delhi,” said a source from the AAI. The AAI is also holding talks with the Maharashtra police and the Maharashtra State Security Corporation as an alternative to the CISF.
However, the bigger hurdle that the authority would face at the time of change in security is terminating the services of the 37 Maharashtra Home Guards personnel, who currently guard the airport.