Security and crowd-control measures at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport remain a concern, with an intelligence report identifying alleged negligence by the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) in controlling access and maintaining discipline.
The report said only two relatives are allowed to accompany a passenger into the airport area, but 8-10 people often enter due to inadequate monitoring. The resulting crowding at the canopies, along with the growing presence of CNG-run autorickshaw drivers and car brokers, has created security concerns.
Although APBn checkpoints are positioned at the entry points, there is inadequate monitoring of who enters the airport area, according to the report.
The intelligence report was presented at a meeting of the National Committee on Airport Security at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) on August 7. The meeting issued several recommendations and instructed the APBn to implement them strictly.
However, no significant practical improvement has been observed over the past month, according to observations at the airport.
Airport Armed Police Superintendent Rezaul Karim denied the allegations, saying the APBn tries to ensure that no more than two people enter with a passenger.
“But when we check a vehicle, it takes 4-5 minutes. As a result, a line of more vehicles forms behind it. Besides, there are often women and elderly people inside the vehicles. We also feel bad about making them get down. We also conduct regular drives and detain people who create disturbances,” he said.
What the security meeting said
The intelligence information presented at the August 7 meeting said the APBn has several security checkpoints at the airport entrances.
Although APBn personnel are responsible for properly questioning and conducting security checks on passengers, visitors and others entering the airport, the report said these duties are not being properly performed.
As a result, people other than passengers' relatives are frequently entering the airport, increasing security risks and disrupting discipline and the overall security system.
CAAB's own intelligence information presented at the meeting also highlighted traffic congestion on the airport's landside, uncontrolled crowds at the canopies, nuisance caused by beggars and harassment by illegal luggage wrappers.
The report said these issues were contributing to passenger harassment and disrupting discipline and security in the airport area.
The APBn is responsible for landside security and preventing such activities, and the meeting instructed the force to take measures to address the problems.
The APBn was specifically instructed to ensure that no more than two people enter with a passenger and to properly operate the checkpoints to prevent unauthorized people from entering.
What was seen at the airport
A visit to the airport found that groups larger than the permitted number were entering the canopies with passengers.
Three or four, and sometimes seven or eight, relatives were seen accompanying passengers. People were also seen entering the canopies in vehicles carrying arriving passengers.
At the departure canopy, passenger Abdul Ahad, who was travelling to Saudi Arabia, had his wife, son, daughter, mother, father and two neighbors with him. They had rented a Hiace.
Asked about the restriction, he said: “We do not know about this. No one told us. We have been sitting here for almost one hour. No one said anything about this either.”
Another passenger, Ashraful, had five people accompanying him. Asked about the restriction, he said: “We do not know about the matter. If we knew, we would certainly follow the rules.”
People were also seen sitting, eating and smoking around the airport's external areas, including near APBn checkpoints, without any apparent verification of whether they were passengers, relatives or outsiders.
At the arrival areas of Terminals 1 and 2, crowds were seen pushing forward to enter the green channel and other areas.
Similar crowds were visible at the departure area, with hundreds of people scattered across the second floor.
Crowds grow when flights arrive
As soon as a flight lands, relatives of passengers begin moving towards the canopies.
People waiting outside reportedly enter the canopy after hearing that a flight has landed, creating additional pressure in the area.
People associated with the airport said access to the inside of the canopy was previously more restricted. They said the situation has changed as more people are now able to enter the area, while APBn personnel stationed near the canopies do not always prevent them from doing so.
Several people at the airport said the environment was more disciplined in the past, although passengers' relatives still used to gather there.
There are designated seating areas for expatriate passengers, but many people do not use them. The limited seating arrangements also contribute to people sitting in different areas of the airport.
The large daily crowds have made parts of the airport's external area resemble busy transport hubs such as Sayedabad and Gabtoli, according to people at the airport.
Unauthorized access raises security concerns
The frequent entry of people into the airport canopies has also made it difficult to distinguish passengers' relatives from other visitors.
Car brokers, CNG drivers and people who have come simply to see the airport were also seen inside restricted areas, raising security concerns.
Aviation expert Kazi Wahedul Alam said: “Family members will come to receive passengers. But when everyone enters the canopy at the same time, there is no security left there. In the current context of the country, the unrestricted entry of hundreds of people into such a restricted area could pose a threat to security. Therefore, it is important to take appropriate measures against this.”
Airport canopies crowded with CNGs
The airport's external area has also become increasingly congested with CNG-run auto-rickshaws.
After dropping off passengers, CNG drivers often park their vehicles at different points around the departure and arrival canopies before looking for passengers to pick up.
CNGs are also frequently seen around the parking area and outside the canopies.
Although CNGs entering the airport with passengers are expected to leave quickly, vehicles were seen remaining inside the canopies.
At Arrival Canopy 2, vehicles were entering one after another to pick up passengers. Instead of maintaining an orderly line, many vehicles were parked haphazardly, creating queues and obstructing the movement of passengers.
CNG drivers already waiting inside the canopy were also seen calling out to passengers.
The disorganized movement of vehicles made it difficult for passengers to leave the area smoothly. APBn personnel were stationed nearby while the congestion continued.
Several CNGs were parked together while vehicles and passengers' relatives occupied different parts of the canopy.
Many passengers were also seen holding tightly onto their belongings on trolleys amid the crowd.
A similar situation was observed at the upper external canopy, where CNG drivers stood on the exit road after dropping off passengers and waited for potential customers.
CNGs and other unauthorized activity were visible at different points outside the arrival and departure canopies.
Asked about the situation, Airport Member (Security) Air Commodore Asif Iqbal told Dhaka Tribune: “At the meeting of the National Committee on Airport Security, it was clearly stated who has what responsibility regarding security. Yet if even after one month of the committee meeting it is not implemented, what more can be said? However, there will be no compromise on airport security. Necessary measures will be taken.”
