Gandhinagar: Domestic air passengers will be allowed to carry only one hand baggage, as per the latest circular of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

The decision has been taken to resolve the issues of increased clearance time, delays and congestion at the Pre-embarkation security check (PESC), as the passengers have been recently found carrying multiple hand bags due to departure of tag system. A senior Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official stated in a letter to BCAS that no passengers should be allowed to carry more than one handbag other than those items already listed in the circular including a lady’s bag.

All airlines have been instructed to take necessary steps to enforce the ‘one handbag’ rule to ease congestion. At SVPI airport in Ahmedabad, the airlines have been asked to depute staff to guide the passengers when needed and verify their hand baggage status.

A senior CISF official stated in a letter on 19th January, “As per BCAS AVSEC Circular Nos. 06/2000 & Lt12000, no passenger should be permitted to carry more than one hand bag other than those items already listed in the circular, including lady’s bag. However, it has been seen that passenger on an average carry 02-03 Nos of hand bags to the screening point. This has led to increased clearance time as well as delays, congestion in PESC (Pre-embarkation security check) point and inconvenience to passengers. It is therefore felt that enforcement of the aforesaid Circulars must be ensured by all stakeholders / airlines,”