New delhi. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday said that the aviation ministry is exploring a template for restructuring of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Additionally, the minister disclosed plans to augment the workforce at BCAS, the nation’s aviation security entity, by 400-450 personnel. He emphasized the need for the back-end infrastructure to expand in tandem with the escalating passenger traffic, fleet size, and the increasing number of airports in order to sustain the rapid growth in the civil aviation sector.
Talking about the back-end infrastructure, Scindia said that in the last 15 months, aviation agencies, including air traffic controllers, have increased their capacity by almost 33-45%, from close to 2,796 to almost 3,940.
He spoke to the media in a briefing following a review meeting of the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
“We are in the process of hiring new ATCOs, most of whom have been hired. The process of training is going on, and deployment will take place by October-November this year,” he added.
Scindia noted a comparable situation at BCAS, the entity in charge of security, and mentioned, he is currently examining a framework for the restructuring of the organisation itself, along with a significant expansion of capacity by approximately 400-450 personnel. “I have always maintained that safety and security for us is paramount,” he added.
Navi Mumbai International Airport
Scindia has said that the Navi Mumbai International Airport will commence its operations by March 31, 2025. He mentioned that the airport project, with an investment of Rs 18,000 crore, has reached 55-60% completion. Following a review of the project, being developed by the Adani Group in five phases, Scindia emphasised that the Navi Mumbai International Airport is not only a crucial infrastructure venture for Mumbai and Maharashtra but also a source of national pride for India. The airport is anticipated to accommodate a total capacity of 9 crore passengers per annum.