DIGIYATRA - GOVERNANCE
News: Facial recognition tech,
DigiYatra, in Chennai airport likely from June
What's in the news?
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Chennai will be one among the 14 airports in the country
where DigiYatra will be rolled out next month, said Suresh Khadakbhavi, chief
executive officer (CEO) of DigiYatra Foundation.
Key takeaways:
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The system, powered by facial recognition
technology, will reduce wait time for passengers during entry to the airport
and security checks.
Establishment of Digi
Yatra:
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DigiYatra traces its origins back to 2018, with its
primary objective being a seamless,
contactless airport experience through facial recognition.
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation claims that privacy
concerns have been addressed, citing a decentralised, mobile wallet-based
identity management system.
DigiYatra:
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The 'DigiYatra' is a Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel experience (BEST) based on Facial
Recognition Technology.
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The 'DigiYatra' is an industry-led initiative
coordinated by the Ministry of Civil
Aviation in line with Digital India's vision to transform the nation into a
digitally empowered society.
Aim:
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To make air travellers hassle-free, frictionless,
and health-risk-free.
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To transform the nation into a digitally empowered society.
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Digi Yatra facilitates paperless travel and avoids
identity check at multiple points.
Objective:
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With this technology, the entry of passengers would
be automatically processed based on the facial
recognition system at all checkpoints – including entry into the airport,
security check areas, aircraft boarding, etc.
Features:
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To use this facility, passengers will need to first
download the DigiYatra app.
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Users can register on the app using Aadhaar
credentials. Then, the person will have to scan his or her boarding pass with
the QR code or Bar code, after which the credentials will be shared with the
airport.
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For entry into the airport, passengers will need to
scan their boarding passes at the e-gate and look into the facial recognition
system camera installed there. A similar method will be applicable for entry
into other checkpoints.
Airports under Digi
Yatra:
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Digi Yatra facility will be launched at 6 more airports namely Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Jaipur,
and Guwahati airports in the month of August 2023.
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The implementation and installation of Digi Yatra
infrastructure at these airports will take place in a phased manner.
Significance of the
DigiYatra Initiative:
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Efficient Travel: Streamlines airport processes for faster, smoother
travel.
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Paperless Transactions: Eliminates the need for
physical boarding passes.
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Security Enhancement: Offers potentially more
accurate security checks.
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Operational Efficiency: Could reduce queues and
improve airport management.
Go back to basics:
DigiYatra Foundation:
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The project is being implemented by the DigiYatra
Foundation — a joint-venture company registered
under the Companies Act, 2013.
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The DigiYatra Foundation will be the custodian of
the passenger ID validation process.
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It will also define the criteria for compliance and
guidelines for the local airport systems.