Introduction to Digi Yatra
In a stride towards modernizing air travel experiences, India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, announced on Friday the ambitious expansion of the Digi Yatra facility. This pioneering initiative, driven by Facial Recognition Technology (FRT), is poised to revolutionize the way passengers navigate various checkpoints at airports, promising a seamless and contactless journey. With the current availability at 13 airports for domestic passengers, the minister unveiled plans to extend the Digi Yatra service to an additional 25 airports by the close of 2024. This expansion, implemented in two phases, marks a significant commitment to leveraging technology for enhancing both efficiency and security in air travel.
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Digi Yatra
Digi Yatra operates on the foundation of Facial Recognition Technology, providing passengers with a contactless and efficient airport experience. As of now, the service is operational at 13 airports, handling a substantial 85% of the country’s domestic air passenger traffic. The minister’s announcement details a strategic expansion plan, with the service set to be introduced in 14 airports during the first phase and an additional 11 airports in the second phase next year. By the end of 2024, Digi Yatra aims to be available at a total of 38 airports, covering a staggering 95% of the nation’s air traffic.
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To avail the Digi Yatra service, passengers need to register on the DigiYatra app, undergoing Aadhaar-based validation and submitting a self-image capture. The passenger data is stored securely in an encrypted format, ensuring privacy and security. Upon arrival at the airport, passengers can scan their bar-coded boarding pass, initiating the facial recognition system at the e-gate. This system validates the passenger’s identity against the provided travel document, allowing a seamless passage through the e-gate. It’s crucial to note that Digi Yatra doesn’t replace standard security procedures; passengers must still adhere to the established protocols for clearing security and boarding the aircraft.
The Digi Yatra Foundation, operating as a not-for-profit entity, plays a pivotal role as the nodal body for this groundbreaking initiative. Its shareholders, including key players like the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (HIAL), and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), underscore the collaborative effort to usher in a new era of digital convenience in air travel.
Conclusion
As the aviation industry embraces the digital age, Digi Yatra emerges as a beacon of innovation, promising passengers a more convenient, efficient, and secure journey through the skies. The expansion plans to introduce the service at 25 more airports reflect a commitment to making Digi Yatra a ubiquitous and transformative force in Indian air travel. With its seamless integration of Facial Recognition Technology and the assurance of secure data handling, Digi Yatra represents a significant step forward in modernizing airport experiences. As we look ahead to the coming years, the widespread availability of Digi Yatra at major airports promises to redefine the standards of convenience and efficiency for air travelers across the country.