Author: Paul Ploumis02 Apr 2014 Last updated at 08:19:23 GMT

NEW DELHI (Scrap Monster): The country’s Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has put forward an exhaustive operation plan to counter the increasing incidents of gold smuggling acts at Indian airports. The new plan is intended to successfully tackle gold transport through sky-routes.

The smugglers have devised ever-new ways to bring gold into the country.According to statistics released by India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the worth of gold seized in India has multiplied by 14 times between FY ’11 and FY ’14. The value of seized gold in FY ’14 has risen to Rs.250 crores when compared with 17.22 crores in FY ’11.

CISF plans to install enhanced surveillance and prompt interception mechanism in all 59 airports across the country. During his visit to Cochin International Airport- a central hub of gold smuggling acts, Mr. O.P Singh, Additional Director General, CISF Airport Sector announced that additional 100 closed circuit surveillance cameras would be installed in the airport on top priority basis, in addition to the existing 260 cameras. In addition, CISF has proposed installation of perimeter intrusion detection system at the airport, to more effectively track the movement of personnel and vehicle.

Mr.Singh also announced that CISF will deploy additional security personnel at the airport. The sanctioned limit for CISF personnel at the airport is 494. However, only 420 are on duty currently. Taking into account, the huge rise in number of flights operated at the airport, CISF has requested the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to sanction additional 400 personnel, which they believe would be adequate enough to rein in gold smuggling acts.

Since March 5th this year, CISF has seized nearly 350 kilograms of gold smuggled through various airports in the country.