KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Managing the crowd at peak times at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), especially in the immigration to the customs X-ray area has remained as a challenge. Passengers have been facing long queues from 'walk-through' to 'X-ray' checking, limited space, lack of accommodation for the sick, disabled and pregnant women. Due to this, efforts have been started to improve the airport facilities in recent days.
In view of the rush of passengers, the customs office has widened the section of the arrival room towards the X-ray machine.
"When there was a lot of crowd, it was narrow and uncomfortable, so we made it a little wider. This expansion should make the customers feel comfortable now," said Tok Raj Pandey, Head of TIA Customs Office.
Recently, the number of passengers at the airport is increasing. According to the data of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), 41, 54, 393 passengers traveled for international flights in 11 months of 2023. This number is 41.04 percent higher than the previous 11 months.
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As there are around 100 international flights every day, there is an unorganized crowd in front of the X-ray machine after landing. Three 'X-ray' machines have been shifted to make it organized.
Due to the low number of X-ray machines, the customs office has added an X-ray machine to solve the problem of delay in luggage scanning. Apart from that, the customs office now operates 'Walk Through', 'X-Ray' and 'Metal Detective' machines.
For X-ray examination of the luggage of passengers coming from abroad. The Customs Office has made an agreement with the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) to appoint 18 'smart receivers'.
According to the agreement, the students studying in the college will be mobilized in front of the X-ray room of the airport. They will work to assist passengers coming from abroad. Students who are proficient in the languages of different countries will be involved in it. They will have to practice the 'polite manners' taught in hospitality at the airport.
"We are going to hire some students after making an agreement with the college to treat the passengers in a more friendly way, students will work as volunteers," said Pandey, the customs chief.
"X-ray" machines to be installed at area where mortal remains are received
Due to the increase in gold smuggling from the airport, the customs office is also going to place X-rays at the place where the bodies are received. Along with dead bodies, some people bring in smuggled materials from abroad. Some time ago, the customs confiscated the mobile sets along with the dead body.
Customs Chief Pandey said that reform measures have been taken to control smuggling, which is being blamed on the technical side due to the collusion of the employees. "Where there are weaknesses, stricter arrangements and improvements have been made," he said.
The Customs Office is also working on installing more CC cameras to increase surveillance on its employees.
The customs office had not properly operated the X-ray machine that was installed there before. In the past, there were criticisms of the customs office neglecting the proper use of X-ray machines and making it easier for smugglers, so, the customs administration has added new ones along with the existing machines.
Customs chief Pandey has claimed that smuggling will decrease due to the addition of new machines as well as other improvement measures. However, despite such claims, a Sri Lankan woman was arrested with 1.300 kg of gold on Sunday.
