Kerala airports brace for flight delays, cancellations amid Indo-Pak conflict

Correspondent

The escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan could impact the normal flight operations from the four international airports in coastal Kerala state, primarily dependent on Gulf-bound passengers.

Reports said that as a result, travellers can expect delays and a growing number of flight cancellations. 

Airport operations are running relatively smoothly, with no immediate cancellations reported at major transportation hubs in Kerala.

Defence officials have declared that the public can anticipate the introduction of enhanced security measures at key locations, following federal directives. 

The Indian Navy has stepped up its surveillance and operational readiness along the coast of Kerala, especially in Kochi, a bustling port city, and the state capital, Trivandrum. 

A heightened security alert has been imposed on dams statewide that generate hydroelectric power and irrigation, leading to an increased police presence in these vital regions.

Kerala has been placed on high alert since the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Security protocols have been intensified at strategic installations, including the Vizhinjam port, airports, and military bases operated by the navy and air force in both cities. 

Reports confirm that standard security measures will persist at prominent dams, like the Idukki, while additional security has also been enforced at major railway stations.

Critical facilities, such as the Cochin Shipyard, which builds aircraft carriers, and the LNG terminal in Kochi, are also under heightened scrutiny.

Authorities have banned visitors at the Vizhinjam International Seaport, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated last week, including business-related visits, until further notice from the federal government. 

This precaution is necessary because the port is only 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route between the Middle East and the Far East.

At Trivandrum airport, passengers are urged to anticipate rigorous security checks and verify their flight status before arriving, as these measures have already been enforced.

On Wednesday, comprehensive civil defence mock drills were held across 126 designated centres where people gather in large numbers throughout the state.
Warning alarms were activated in 104 of these centres at 4 PM to simulate emergency conditions. 

The coordination of the drills was centralised in a special control room established at the State Secretariat and overseen by top bureaucrats.

Multiple departments, including police, fire and rescue services, disaster management, and civil defence volunteers, were involved in these mock drills. 

During these drills, participants adhered to safety protocols by turning off lights and securing windows when they heard the siren. 

Prior to initiating the mock drill at the Secretariat, security officials thoroughly briefed employees on the necessary safety procedures and response actions.