Bengaluru: A ‘radiological emergency' at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Internaional Airport had been suspended on Sunday after it was found that the radiation was below the permissible limit and was not a leakage.
A special consignment of of 16 packets of radioactive material earmarked for cancer treatment was brought in by an Air France flight at 10.30 pm on Saturday.
In light of the purported radioactive leak at Delhi airport, DC investigated the steps Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) authorities have to take to prevent a similar situation.
A BIAL spokeperson said that regular drills are held to prevent such incidents and to learn from the experience. The airport recently held a radiological emergency mock-exercise. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), District Administration and other agencies, who are stakeholders during such operations, took part in the drill. The staff members of more than 15 departments were on their toes, all set to handle the situation.
The spokesperson added, “It is all part of BIAL’s ongoing effort to ensure that safe operating procedures are maintained at the airport, continuously building on its stakeholders’ capabilities to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate all effects of incidents involving radiological emergencies. That’s why we held a mock radiological emergency drill a few months ago.”
The spokesperson pointed out that the mock drill was conducted to enhance the preparedness and validate the emergency procedures of the airport community in the event of a radiological incident.
Aviation enthusiast and Bangalore Chambers of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) member Devesh Agarwal said BIAL airport meets IATA criteria. “Obviously the cargo on the Air France flight was ‘DGR’ or dangerous cargo. BIAL is an IATA-certified airport just like IGI airport and has crews trained in special handling methods for dangerous cargo.”
Agarwal stressed that he had personally visited Bobba Menzies Aviation Cargo Terminal and the Air India cargo terminals at BIAL. “I can personally vouch for the crew competence and handling standards at BIAL. Besides BIAL is also know for excellent Customs crews and superb turnaround time. So I don’t think we as Bengalureans should have anything to worry about!”
