Two more security hold areas for domestic departure terminal
Times of India | 9 March 2025
123 Kolkata: Two new security check portals are being added at either end of Kolkata airport's domestic departure terminal in a bid to ease congestion during security checks. At present, there are four security check portals in domestic and two in international.
Of the four domestic security check zones, two are usually more crowded as they are near the IndiGo Airlines check-in counters, as the airline handles nearly three out of five flyers at Kolkata airport.
Kolkata Airport authorities have already completed one new facility near Gate 1A/1B, while the second is under construction near the reserve lounge and is expected to be operational by mid-year.
"We regularly witness 60,000-plus footfall at the airport even during lean periods. Hence, we realised it is high time we increase the number of security checkpoints at the airport for faster clearance of passengers. One of the portals is ready while we are in the process of completing another portal next to SHA 4," said Pravat Ranjan Beuria, the Kolkata airport director.
Once the two new SHAs are operational, the existing ones will also be renamed. "Currently, the SHAs are named between 1 and 4. Since the two new SHAs will come up at two ends, all SHAs will be renamed between 1 and 6," Beuria added.
Each security check portal has four screening machines. The airport currently has four such portals or 16 X-Ray machines that can be operated simultaneously during peak hours.
However, long queues at security checkpoints have been a persistent issue at the airport, especially during peak travel seasons like Durga Puja and the start of the summer holiday.
"The addition of these new screening areas is part of a larger effort to modernise the airport infrastructure and handle the increasing passenger volume more efficiently. The new security hold areas will significantly ease congestion at the existing checkpoints, ensuring a smoother experience for passengers. The goal is to reduce waiting time and improve overall operational efficiency," said another airport official familiar with the project.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is in charge of manning security and operation of the screening machines at the airport, said once the new SHAs come up, more CISF personnel will also be added to the existing system.The official said that currently, 38% of total passengers at the airport use only SHA 2 as it is situated closest to IndiGo Airline's portal, which contributes 58% of the city's air traffic.
"The new SHAs are also more spacious, and we will direct passengers accordingly to pass through these screening gates for a faster dispersal," Beuria added.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's Day wishes, messages and quotes !