The Central Industrial protection Force (CISF) took over protection at the Maharashi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya on Wednesday, just before the idol’s consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple. The newly built international airport in Uttar Pradesh, opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30, is expected to see a large flood of passengers once the new temple complex opens to the public on January 23.
Meanwhile, authorities familiar with the temple complex’s security arrangements claimed that until January 22, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will protect the compound alongside Uttar Pradesh’s Special Security Force (SSF). While there were unsubstantiated allegations that the CRPF will take over protection for the temple complex to SSF, authorities familiar with the situation said no order to evacuate the CRPF had yet been issued.
Officials into CISF matter
“On January 22 and for the first several weeks, the number of visitors will be large, thus both troops will continue to defend the complex. The Uttar Pradesh Police’s SSF has already arrived at the compound, and both troops are jointly protecting it, according to an official familiar with the situation.
Until the Centre issues instructions to withdraw the CRPF from security, the security pattern is likely to be identical to that followed in Parliament, according to persons familiar with the situation. While CRPF forces will patrol the perimeter, the police’s SSF will handle entry control, screening, and visitor management.
At the Ayodhya airport, which is now under CISF control, at least 300 CRPF troops would be posted around the clock. The airport’s first phase is scheduled to serve roughly one million passengers per year, with a projected growth to six million in the second phase. The CISF personnel at the airport will be led by a deputy commandant. The force currently has control of at least 68 airports across the country.
What does Union Civil Aviation Minister says?
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced last year that the airport’s capacity will be gradually increased.
“In the initial phase, the airport will measure 65,000 square feet. Its capacity will be two to three flights per hour. Construction of a 2,200-metre runway is underway. It implies that Boeing 737, Airbus 319, and Airbus 320 will be allowed to land at the airport. Initially, there is an airport apron for eight planes,” Scindia informed reporters. He also stated that clearance from the Cabinet for the second phase will be sought shortly.
“As previously stated by the chief minister (Yogi Adityanath), the runway length will be increased from 2,200 metres to 3,700 metres in the second phase.” In other words, the runway would be roughly four kilometres long, allowing international aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 to land in Ayodhya,” Scindia stated.
The minister also stated that the airport’s second phase will encompass 50,000 square metres.
The CISF was tasked with protecting public airports following the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines Kathmandu-Delhi aircraft IC-814 to Kandahar in Afghanistan.
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