Bhubaneswar: Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) is set to significantly enhance its preparedness against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats by developing specialised infrastructure, recruiting additional personnel and imparting advanced training to emergency responders.
Airport authorities said the initiative is aimed at equipping the airport to effectively handle potential CBRN emergencies, an area in which BPIA currently lacks the requisite expertise and facilities. The move assumes significance as Bhubaneswar continues to emerge as a major aviation hub in eastern India.
Airport Director Prasanna Pradhan said the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), being the first responder in such situations, would undergo specialised training to identify and respond to suspicious weapons and hazardous materials.
“CISF personnel need to be adequately trained to deal with such threats. We are also planning to augment infrastructure for the safe storage of hazardous chemicals, handling of radiological materials and containment of nuclear-related devices that could have far-reaching ramifications,” Pradhan said.
As part of the preparedness plan, the airport will create secure storage facilities for hazardous substances, radiation-handling units and specialised containment systems for nuclear-related devices.
Authorities are also considering augmenting manpower to strengthen the airport’s emergency response capabilities.
The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) teams will play an equally crucial role and will receive specialised training to manage emergencies arising from the detection of CBRN threats.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for specialised preparedness at airports in view of evolving security challenges and emerging non-conventional threats. Officials said the proposed measures would help build institutional capacity and ensure a coordinated response mechanism in the event of emergencies.
With passenger traffic steadily increasing and Bhubaneswar positioning itself as a key aviation gateway in eastern India, the airport’s preparedness drive is expected to set a benchmark for strengthening emergency response systems at airports across the country.
