The much-anticipated DigiYatra facility at Chennai airport remains on hold, pending final security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Despite the installation of the required infrastructure and successful trial runs, the facility, designed to streamline passenger processing, is yet to be operational.
DigiYatra, already benefiting passengers at major airports including New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Kochi, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, aims to significantly reduce the time passengers spend in queues for multiple checks before boarding. Initially, it was projected that Chennai airport would integrate this facility by the end of March. However, passengers are still awaiting its launch.
Officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have stated that they are in continuous communication with BCAS, and the facility can only be launched once the necessary clearance is granted. “Before March, we completed all the required preparations, installed the infrastructure, and conducted trials. BCAS officials inspected the terminals, and we are now hoping to receive the final approval this week,” an AAI official disclosed.
Sources indicate that BCAS had raised several queries, which AAI has addressed. A primary concern is preventing issues observed at other airports from occurring in Chennai. For example, incidents of tailgating, where unauthorized individuals follow authorized passengers closely to bypass security, have been reported at some locations. Authorities are keen to ensure these and other potential issues are resolved before granting approval for the facility’s implementation in Chennai.
The introduction of DigiYatra is expected to enhance the efficiency of passenger processing significantly, making air travel more convenient and less time-consuming. Passengers have expressed anticipation for the facility, which leverages advanced biometric technology to offer a seamless travel experience.
In the meantime, Chennai airport passengers continue to navigate the existing processes, hopeful that the final clearance will soon be granted, ushering in the benefits of DigiYatra. The initiative represents a significant step forward in the modernization of air travel infrastructure in India, aligning with global standards of efficiency and convenience.
With all preparations complete and only the final nod remaining, the aviation community in Chennai looks forward to joining the ranks of other major Indian airports offering this cutting-edge facility.
