Varanasi airport is the first to implement the government initiative Digi-Yatra, a facial recognition system for airport entry. Digi-Yatra intends to make the airport entry paperless and hassle-free, making the process faster than before. Three more government-run airports at Pune, Kolkata, and Vijayawada, will implement the system soon.
How to Check-in Using Digi-Yatra:
Under Digi-Yatra, the passenger has to register on Digi-Yatra portal using a valid ID proof document such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport or driving license. On registering, the passenger will receive a unique Digi-Yatra ID, and the passenger must use this ID at the time of ticket booking. The airline would then share the passenger data and the Digi-Yatra ID with the airport from where the passenger takes the flight.
The passengers having Digi-Yatra registration has to through a one-time facial recognition at the e-gate of the airport’s departure terminal. Once the passenger goes through this facial recognition, a centralised registration system will store the details of the passenger, and thereafter, the passenger’s face will act as the boarding pass. The passenger can proceed for the security check after dropping the baggage at the counter. Digi-Yatra ensures that the passenger need not visit any counter other than that of the security check if used Digi-Yatra system. The system is free-of-cost for the passengers.
Digi-Yatra also promises other benefits such as real-time notifications about the congestions and traffic delays. Also, the passenger will be notified about his baggage status when it reaches the luggage claim belt.
The other airport at Pune, Kolkata, and Vijayawada is expected to implement the system by 30 April 2019. Among the private airports, the airports at Hyderabad and Bengaluru may launch the system by January 2019.
