Heavy security deployed at Visakha, Tirupati airports ahead of R-Day

Vijayawada: Taking the routine precautionary measures of restricting movement of visitors that are imposed at all major airports in the country ahead of Republic Day and Independence Day, a step further, the three airports in Andhra Pradesh have been asked to provide ‘additional’ security and be more vigilant from January 20 to 30, this time around. These are as per a confidential communication sent to the Directors of the three airports.

Not only has an advisory been issued to all airports in this regard, security apparatus has been beefed up following terror threat, sources said.

Accordingly, visitors will be barred entry at international airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Nagpur. Likewise, customs airports like Gaya, Patna, Madurai, Pune, Bagdogra (Siliguri), Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam, and 26 civil enclaves in Defence airfields will also be under tight security cover during the ten-day period.

While this is the crux of the official advisory, it is learnt that Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada airports have been given special instructions by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) fearing possible terrorist movements during the 10 days. BCAS has cautioned about intruders sneaking into Tirupati, mostly from Tamil Nadu, which have waterways.

Apart from alerting Tirupati airport authorities, BCAS officials sent a suggestion to the Ministry of Home Affairs to alert the Government of AP on the need to concentrate on providing more security in the vicinity of Tirupati airport.

Confirming the same, a senior police officer from Tirupati said that they have received an alert message from police headquarters, with directions to take into custody strangers and those making suspicious movements.

It may be noted that the State Government is organising R-Day parade at Visakhapatnam. Both police and Navy have sounded an alert already. Additionally, Visakhapatnam airport authorities have been extra vigilant, following the BCAS alert, sources pointed out.