Full-Body Scanners and CTX Machines to be installed at Delhi Airport by May 2024 .

New Delhi: Full-body scanners, capable of detecting concealed prohibited items beneath clothing, are scheduled to be installed at Delhi Airport by May 2024. Additionally, Computed Tomography X-ray (CTX) machines, which permit passengers to retain electronic items in their hand luggage during security checks, are anticipated to be operational by the same deadline. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) Director General Zulfiquar Hasan stated that the deadline for deploying full-body scanners at airports with over 10 million annual passengers and CTX machines at those with over 5 million passengers is currently being extended, with the previous deadline set for December 31.

During a briefing in the national capital, Hasan acknowledged certain challenges in the provisioning process and mentioned ongoing discussions with airport operators regarding the installation of the scanners.

Full-body scanners play a crucial role in identifying concealed prohibited items beneath clothing, offering an effective means of locating such objects. In contrast to the widespread use of metal detectors in airports for security screening, these scanners can detect not only metallic items but also non-metallic substances like explosives.

The latest versions of these scanners prioritize the privacy of individuals undergoing screening by not displaying detailed body images to the operator. Instead, they present a generic body outline with highlighted suspicious areas, ensuring anonymity. Upon the detection of suspicious areas, security personnel can conduct additional checks on those specific body regions using alternative methods, such as a physical pat-down search.

CTX machines, or Computer Tomography X-ray, represent a non-invasive method for visualizing internal structures within solid items, providing digital data on their 3-D shapes and characteristics. Unlike regular digital images composed of pixels, a CT slice comprises voxels, volumetric elements. The installation of CTX scanners at Delhi Airport aims to streamline and expedite the airport security screening process, as passengers will not be required to remove electronic devices from their bags during checks.

Delhi Airport, the nation’s largest, anticipates a surge in passenger traffic exceeding 70 million by the end of the fiscal year in March 2024. BCAS plans to roll out the full-body scanners gradually in different phases, addressing the evolving needs of airport security. Currently, passengers are obliged to remove electronic items and place them in separate trays during airport security checks. The introduction of advanced scanning technology is expected to enhance security measures while improving the efficiency of the screening process.