The Union government has sanctioned over 2,800 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel to safeguard two soon-to-be operational international airports in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Noida, Uttar Pradesh. According to official sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved 1,840 posts for Navi Mumbai International Airport and 1,030 for Noida International Airport (NIA). The sanctioned CISF strength of 2,870 is intended to provide counter-terrorism security for the airports' first operational phases, with additional personnel expected during subsequent expansion phases. Security units, led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-rank officers, will assume control once the required infrastructure, including security equipment and logistics, is in place. The Navi Mumbai airport, developed by the Adani Group, is slated for completion in five phases, ultimately accommodating 90 million passengers annually. Its first phase, capable of handling 20 million passengers annually, is expected to commence operations by March-April 2025. The Noida International Airport, located in the Jewar area of Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district, will serve as the second international aviation hub for the National Capital Region, complementing Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is also scheduled to begin operations by April 2025. The CISF currently provides security for 68 airports across India, ensuring anti-terrorism, counter-hijack, and anti-sabotage measures, along with passenger frisking and baggage checks in coordination with other agencies. These measures will extend to the new airports, which are expected to bolster India’s civil aviation infrastructure significantly. (ET)