New Delhi, March 6
Privacy and ethical issues apart, full-body scanners will be a reality at Indian airports as well. India is likely to begin scanner trials to screen passengers at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here in April-May.

At the recent India Aviation 2010 in Hyderabad, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said that the government was planning to introduce full body scanners at airports in view of recent security threats. “Security is a major concern for aviation worldwide and more particularly in India. With the kind of problems in the region, we have to be extra particular. Security upgradation is an ongoing process. We have adequate security in place but it can be made more relevant with latest technology,” he said.

Full body scanners are large machines that go along metal-detectors and baggage X-ray machines at the security point on way into the departure lounge. They scan the entire body for concealed weapons, bomb-making material and also any other stuff carried on a flier.

While the controversial X-ray machines may allow security staff to check for any concealed weapons or explosives, there are ethical concerns since the scan reveals the outline of the human body, infringing upon privacy. But experts argue that in today’s high-tech world, the concept of full body scanning is inevitable despite concerns of ethics and privacy. Recently, some Muslim women flying to Islamabad had categorically refused to go through full body scanning in the UK and were not allowed to fly out.

Currently, security checks at airports include searches, doorframe metal detectors and hand-held device scans. While these can detect metals, non-metallic objects that can be hidden in underwear - like the one carried by a Nigerian passenger on a North-Western airline from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas - can go undetected.