Delhi, 20 airports to get fast-track immigration: How it works
What's the story
The central government has introduced a fast-track immigration program at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, aiming to reduce the immigration process time from 30 minutes to mere seconds.
This initiative, known as the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), will soon be expanded to 20 other cities.
The program uses biometrics for pre-verified travelers, ensuring a seamless immigration experience during both departure and arrival.
Program expansion
FTI-TTP expansion and its benefits
The FTI-TTP will next be implemented in seven major airports, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad.
A senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official told NDTV that "India is becoming an international destination and this program is being introduced to make travel experience seamless and effortless for all."
The official also highlighted that eligible passengers can use automated gates (e-gates) to bypass regular immigration queues.
Program success
FTI-TTP's success and future plans
The MHA official revealed that the FTI-TTP has already proven successful at Delhi airport with 18,400 individuals (Indian passport and OCI card holders) registering for it.
The program launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in June has resulted in 60% faster immigration clearance for those who availed of this facility.
The official assured that "due to the heavy passenger volume...the FTI-TTP not only benefits those enrolled under the scheme but...others as the overall wait time at immigration counters decreases."
Application process
FTI-TTP application process and eligibility criteria
To apply for the FTI-TTP, eligible individuals must submit an online application at www.ftittp.mha.gov.in.
The Bureau of Immigration will verify the provided details.
After approval, applicants will receive a message to schedule an appointment for biometric data collection at international airports or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
The FTI registration is valid for up to five years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first.
Implementation phases
FTI-TTP's implementation phases and data security measures
The FTI-TTP will be implemented in two phases.
The first phase covers Indian citizens and OCI cardholders, while the second phase will include foreign nationals.
Regarding data security concerns, an official assured that adequate safeguards are in place to protect privacy and secure the database.
This assurance comes as the program uses facial recognition technology, which has raised concerns about potential data leaks.