The Indian government has recently made a progressive move in the aviation industry by introducing paperless entry at selected airports. This initiative is aimed to facilitate hassle-free air travel for passengers. The pilot phase of this initiative is set to start in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi, with Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada to follow suit by March 2023. The ultimate vision is to implement this technology across all airports in the country.
Getting to Know DigiYatra
DigiYatra is an advanced scheme that permits travelers to pass through various checkpoints at the airport via paperless and contactless processing. A crucial component of the system is the use of facial recognition technology to establish identity, which will be associated with the passenger’s boarding pass. With DigiYatra, passengers’ entry at various checkpoints – like airport entry, security check areas, aircraft boarding, etc., will be automatically processed based on the facial recognition system.
Implementing the DigiYatra Project
The implementation of the DigiYatra project is helmed by the DigiYatra Foundation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The DigiYatra Foundation is a joint venture involving several shareholders – the Airports Authority of India and airports from key regions including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Cochin International Airport.
The Significance of DigiYatra
The introduction of facial recognition technology in the aviation space carries significant benefits. For one, it makes flying more accessible and reduces airport congestion, ensuring that passengers go through a more streamlined process. Not only that, the facial recognition system has proven to be efficient at various airports globally – Dubai, Singapore, Atlanta, and Narita (Japan) being noteworthy examples.
Implementing DigiYatra results in decreased operational costs as it digitizes manual processes and enhances efficiency levels. Moreover, it significantly improves security standards by reducing human error. Furthermore, the facial recognition system has been observed to boost system performance. Perhaps one of the most exciting benefits of DigiYatra is that it establishes India’s position as a global benchmark for seamless, hassle-free, and health risk-free processes at airports.
Given these facts, the future of airport travel in India is promising. With advancements like DigiYatra, passengers can look forward to a more efficient, convenient, and secure air travel experience. In a time where technology is ever-evolving, the Indian government’s move to adapt and incorporate digital solutions into their systems is indeed an encouraging sign for many other industries.