Recently, the CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation has proposed that the Digi Yatra technology used at airports can also be used at public places like hotels and historical monuments. ‘Digi Yatra’ is a Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel Experience (BEST) based facial-recognition technology. It provides check-in services at airports using biometrics, thereby facilitating paperless movement at airports. It is an industry-led initiative coordinated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.Since its launch in 2022, currently 14 airports are covered under it and 15 additional airports will be covered under it by the end of 2024. The potential application of Digi Yatra in hotels and other public places suggests that it can be implemented in areas other than the airspace.
Digi Yatra
- Digi Yatra is an advanced technology that enables passengers to travel at airports through a paperless and contactless process using their face to verify their identity.
- With this technology, entry is based on facial recognition system at checkpoints linked to the passenger’s boarding pass.
- It comes under Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel Experience (BEST) and check-in services at airports are done using biometrics, making paperless travel extremely accessible for passengers at airports.
- It is an industry-led initiative coordinated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- This system can also be used as an application in hotels and other public places.
Key concerns related to expansion of Digi Yatra services
Privacy concerns and revised policies
- A revised policy document related to travellers under this scheme will be released soon, clarifying issues related to access to third party vendor data and also clarifying the conditions under which the process of mandatory data clarification within 24 hours can be exempted.
- This may lead to information to the government regarding people’s travel pattern / system. Which may affect or violate the ‘right to privacy’ of citizens.
Data security
- Expanding Digi Yatra to hotels and public places will enhance data security.
- Unlike traditional identity verification methods, which often involve sharing of unencrypted documents, Digi Yatra ID does not contain personally identifiable information due to this advanced technology.
- Under this scheme, the system retains only the hash value or the numerical identifier, ensuring that personal data of passengers such as name, Aadhaar number, face scan and passport number cannot be leaked.
Ensuring safety and protection of rights of foreign tourists
- It is very important for foreign tourists to be informed about their obligations while travelling. This helps to ensure that they can make their travel safe and convenient. Foreign tourists are required to inform the nearest police station about their arrival and departure, which protects their safety and rights.
- Currently, citizens of some countries like Pakistan are required to inform the nearest police station about their arrival and departure within 24 hours.
- Additionally, tourists from other countries with visas of more than 180 days are required to register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). This is important to protect their safety and rights during their travel.
- Under the Digi Yatra scheme, it is very important for foreign tourists to provide their current time information and these rules may vary from country to country. If you are a foreign tourist, you are advised to follow the local rules during your travel.
Implementation Ministry
- The project is being implemented by Digi Yatra Foundation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India.
- Digi Yatra Foundation is a joint venture company comprising Airports Authority of India and Association of Private Airports.
- Association of Private Airports has 74% stake in this non-profit private company and Airports Authority of India has 26% stake.