By Online Desk CHENNAI: A red alert was issued at the Chennai airport following an alleged bomb threat on Friday morning. According to reports, the police control room at New Delhi airport received a call warning of an explosion at the Chennai airport. The caller reportedly said that a woman passenger boarding a Saudi Arabia-bound flight in Chennai was carrying an explosive substance. An emergency meeting was convened shortly after midnight at the Chennai Airport involving officials of the Airports Authority of India, CISF, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, intelligence agencies and others. Security stepped up Security has been stepped up at the airport ahead of the 73rd Independence Day on August 15, with the installation coming under a seven-layer security cover. In view of the heightened security measures, coming days after the Centre stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status granted under Article 370 of the Constitution, air passengers have been asked to reach the airport well in advance. "Security has been beefed up in all areas of the airport including the parking lot. Passengers flying out of Chennai are requested to reach the airport well in advance to avoid any inconvenience," an official release said. "The heightened security measures will be in place till August 31, 2019," it added. Meanwhile, officials said that a seven-layer security cover has been provided to the airport, one of the busiest in the country. (With PTI Inputs)

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