Faster Immigration Clearance: Indian Airports to Adopt Trusted Traveller Programme

In a bid to alleviate congestion and expedite immigration checks for Indian passport holders, the government is set to launch a “Trusted Traveller Programme” at international airports across the country.

The programme, aimed at streamlining the departure and arrival process, will be initiated as a pilot project at Delhi and Mumbai airports this year.

By 2027, it is planned to expand the programme to 15 airports, with the goal of implementing it at all airports by 2032. Officials, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared this information.

Implementation of E-Gates at Delhi Airport

At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, three electronic gates have already been installed, two for arriving passengers and one for departures. Although trials are yet to commence, these gates will allow pre-verified travellers to conveniently bypass queues, making the immigration clearance process faster and simpler.

Inspiration from the United States Global Entry Program

Citing the United States Global Entry Program, an official from the home ministry explained that the objective of the Trusted Traveller Programme is to expedite the immigration clearance process using technology.

The Global Entry Program offers expedited security and immigration clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers, with a rigorous background check and in-person interview as part of the pre-verification process.

However, the specifics of India’s verification system and passport stamping procedures are still being finalized.

Restricted to Indian Passport Holders for Now

At present, the Trusted Traveller Programme will only be available to Indian passport holders, with no immediate plans to include travellers with other passports.

Roadmap Prepared by Ministry of Home Affairs

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the civil aviation and Bureau of Immigration, has already developed a roadmap for the Trusted Traveller Programme. The details of the programme, including the criteria for pre-verified travellers, are expected to be defined in the policy.

Expert Insights on E-Gates and Identity Verification

Aviation expert Amit Singh emphasized that while e-gates can automate and reduce the workload, it is crucial to have a robust backend system to verify and approve passengers’ identities based on the immigration database.

If a person is flagged as a person of interest, entry through the e-gate will be rejected, and they will be directed to a manual counter for further processing.

Addressing Congestion Issues at Indian Airports

With increasing air traffic, Indian airports are experiencing strain. In response to passenger complaints about congestion, the aviation ministry urged airlines to reduce flights during peak hours and implemented measures such as increased X-ray machines at Delhi airport.

The Bureau for Civil Aviation Security has also mandated the introduction of full-body scanners at airports handling more than 10 million passengers per annum by December 31. Greenfield non-regional connectivity airports will have these scanners in place before operations commence.

Projected Increase in Air Passenger Traffic

According to aviation consultancy CAPA India, the air passenger traffic, encompassing both domestic and international travel, is expected to reach 395 million passengers in the 2023-24 period.