As per reports, Chennai International Airport has put in place an enhanced, five-tier security arrangements from Sunday (18 January), ahead of Republic Day on Monday (26 January). The security measures will be in place till Friday (30 January), while a seven-tier security protocol will be followed from Saturday to Monday (24-26 January).

Following are the details:

• Security has been strengthened through coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, with checks being carried out at entry points, terminal buildings, parking areas, and operational zones.
• Vehicles approaching the airport will be stopped and screened at the main entrance gate itself. Suspicious vehicles will be thoroughly checked by security personnel with the assistance of sniffer dogs. Bomb disposal squads are also conducting regular scans using metal detectors. Armed personnel, sniffer dogs, and bomb detection teams have been deployed, while surveillance has been stepped up across sensitive areas, including cargo handling and fuel facilities.
• Passenger screening procedures have also been tightened. Apart from the usual checks, a secondary security screening will be conducted at the boarding gates. Hand baggage will be rigorously screened, and restrictions are in place on carrying certain types of liquids, and food items such as pickles, jams, and oil.
• Airport officials have said that flight operations will proceed as scheduled, but advised passengers to arrive earlier than usual to allow time for the enhanced security checks.
• Cargo and baggage handling areas are under heightened surveillance, with all parcels undergoing multiple layers of scrutiny before being loaded onto aircraft. Security at fuel stations has been augmented with additional CCTV cameras, monitored round-the-clock from the airport’s security control room.