Digi Yatra, the innovative facial recognition system for air travel, is gaining popularity across India, streamlining the passenger experience by eliminating the need for physical documents at check-in, security, and boarding gates. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA), aims to make air travel seamless, hassle-free, and health risk-free. While Bengaluru Airport has already integrated the Digi Yatra system, many other airports in Karnataka are yet to receive the facility.
Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has started implementing the Digi Yatra service on a trial basis, with the official launch expected soon, according to a spokesperson. The Digi Yatra Foundation (DYF) has listed MIA among the next airports to be equipped with this technology. As of now, 24 airports across India have adopted Digi Yatra, offering a contactless, biometric travel experience to passengers.
However, not all airports in Karnataka are on the same path. Hubballi Airport, one of the busiest in the state, has not introduced Digi Yatra due to infrastructure constraints and the need for investment in biometric systems. Sunil Nalavade, a member of the Hubballi Airport Aerodrome Advisory Committee, stated that the airport is currently undergoing a terminal expansion, and he plans to request that MOCA and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) integrate Digi Yatra as part of the upgraded facilities. With increasing passenger traffic, the introduction of Digi Yatra is seen as essential for providing seamless and contactless travel.
The new terminal at Hubballi is expected to include the facility, and according to Rupesh Kumar Sripad, once it is completed, Digi Yatra will be incorporated without delay. Sunil Kulkarni, president of the Kalyana Karnataka Grahakara Vedike, Kalaburagi, also called for the introduction of Digi Yatra at airports like Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Hubballi, Mangaluru, and Belagavi. He believes this would enhance the passenger experience and reduce the workload on airport staff. However, he raised concerns about the security of digital data and urged MOCA to ensure that it is not handed over to third-party apps but retained securely by the government.
Apart from Hubballi and Mangaluru, airports like Kalaburagi, Mysuru, and Belagavi are still awaiting the Digi Yatra rollout. Despite the system being launched in 2023, these airports have yet to implement it. Additionally, airports in Bidar, Ballari, and Shimoga are also on the waiting list. The Digi Yatra Foundation stated that the expansion to new airports is being carried out in line with government directives and in coordination with relevant airport authorities.
As passenger traffic continues to rise, expanding Digi Yatra to more airports across Karnataka could transform the air travel experience for passengers, making it more efficient, contactless, and secure.
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