Facial Recognition System(FRS) is to be implemented in phased manner

What is the News?

The Minister of Civil Aviation has informed Lok Sabha that Facial Recognition System(FRS) is to be implemented in a phased manner.

What is a Facial Recognition System(FRS)?

The facial recognition system is part of the Digi Yatra initiative of the government for providing passengers with a seamless and hassle-free experience at airports. 

It is to be implemented in a phased manner. The first phase is planned at Kolkata, Varanasi, Pune, Vijayawada, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad Airports by March 2023

What is the Digi Yatra Initiative?

Launched by: Ministry of Civil Aviation

Aim: To provide a contactless, seamless and paperless handling of passengers at airports from the entry gate of the terminal to the boarding point. 

Digi Yatra Enrollment Process: Under this, passengers can get a Digi Yatra ID by sharing minimum details like name, e-mail ID, Mobile number and details of one approved Identity proof (Aadhar is not mandatory).

This DigiYatra ID will be shared by passengers while booking tickets. Airlines will share the passenger data and DigiYatraID with the departure airport.

There would be one-time verification at the departure airport while travelling for the first time using the ID. After successful verification, facial recognition biometrics would be captured and stored in the Digi Yatra ID.

From the next time, while travelling, passengers will be automatically processed based on facial recognition systems at checkpoints like; Entry point check, Entry into Security Check, and Aircraft Boarding.

Benefits: a) Passengers need not show a boarding pass or ID at multiple checkpoints, b) Minimum human intervention and less queuing time, c) The security is enhanced as only bona fide passengers will be allowed entry at every checkpoint and d) Airport operators will have real-time information on Passenger load and resource planning becomes better.

Source: This post is based on the article “Facial Recognition System(FRS) is to be implemented in a phased manner” published in PIB on 4th April 2022.