The security at Dabolim airport has come under spotlight with the discovery of about eight CCTV cameras installed by unknown persons monitoring activities in the area, which is also a part of Indian Naval base.
To make matters worse, the airport authority, state police, district administration and local panchayat have no clue of about the CCTV cameras that face the airport terminal or who has installed these cameras.
In fact, recently the Dabolim Airport Advisory Committee meeting which was chaired by Panchayat Minister and Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho discussed a host of issues, including improving security arrangements at the airport and the suggestions to install CCTV cameras on the city roads too were made.
Herald investigation revealed that altogether there eight CCTV cameras installed in the median of National Highway, NH17 B road and all CCTV cameras are placed between the airport junction and city side area of arrival gate of airport terminal.
While five cameras faced the airport terminal building and its entry-exit points, three cameras face the four-lane road, busy airport junction on NH17 B road etc.
It is still not clear whether these CCTV cameras are functional or someone has been fetching its feed or not. However, if the cameras are functional and if somebody is fetching the feed of round-the-clock activity at this vital installation, which is also part of Indian Naval base that too without the knowledge of airport authority, state police or other authorities, it could be a termed as grave security lapse.
“I am not aware of any such cameras nor were we informed about the same by any State agencies. I think if what you say is true then it is a very serious matter, as CCTV cameras focus towards the airport and should have not been installed without our knowledge,” Airport Director BCH Negi, said, adding the state police should immediately look into the matter.
“We had decided to cover the city side area, including car parking areas with CCTV cameras, which would be installed after the ongoing work at MLCP was completed. I am surprised that CCTV cameras on the highway focusing towards the airport, that too without taking AAI into confidence,” he said.
Since the issue also falls in the domain of State police, Herald decided to take up the issue before Vasco SDPO DySP Sunita Sawant. Before divulging much, Herald questioned on suggestions made during the last meeting with AAI, to which she replied that suggested were made for installing additional CCTV to keep round-the-clock vigil at the airport.
When asked whether any CCTV cameras focusing towards the airport, without the knowledge of security agency could be serious issue she replied in the affirmative.
Airport is a vital installation and if somebody had installed CCTV cameras and if we are unaware of it then we need to probe as to whether the party had taken any permission and for what purpose the cameras were installed. AAI as well as police should have been informed, she said, confirming that the police has no information about the existence of CCTV cameras outside the airport.
