PUNE: The Pune Airport will instal facial recognition system to identify passengers and data recall under Digi Yatra. A tender has been awarded to a New Delhi-based company. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has selected four airports for the project.
Under the ‘Digi Yatra’ programme, the Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to start biometric boarding system at all airports. Initially it will be installed at Pune, Kolkata, Varanasi and Vijayawada airports.
“Passenger entry will be automatically processed based on facial recognition systems at checkpoints like entry, security and aircraft boarding, thus facilitating paperless travel. The system will be operational by next year,” said Pune Airport Director Ajay Kumar.
“The tender was awarded to M/S NEC Technologies India Private Ltd based in New Delhi and has headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The cost of the project is Rs 14 crore for Pune Airport. The firm will also be responsible for operation and maintenance of the system for seven years. The project is likely to be completed in a year’s time,” he said.
Under the scheme, passengers will have their identities verified at every step of the check-in process, by being photographed at each stage. The system will be similar during the security check. There will be no need to show boarding passes and get them stamped after frisking.
The initiative will bring benefits to passengers and all stakeholders involved in the process including the airport operator who will have travel information in advance for better resource planning and real-time data of passengers within terminal.
KEY PILLARS
Digi Yatra platform will be built on four key pillars, like Connected Passengers, Connected Airports, Connected Flying and Connected Systems which makes it possible for passengers to:
- Plan trips efficiently by identifying price trends and estimate future airfare at time of ticket booking.
- Faster airport entry and automated check-in without requiring paper-based interventions.
- Walk-through security scanners owing to advanced biometric security solutions.
- Enhanced security standards.
- Navigate through airport using digital guidance systems, interactive kiosks and augmented reality apps.
ADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM
- The biometric technology would scan and identify passenger by the face as they move across the airport.
- This would avoid need for stops for presenting documents including boarding passes, passport or other physical documents.
- The system will be linked with valid Id proof and no physical verification for passengers will be needed.
- No need of hard copy of boarding pass.
- Fliers’ details will be captured by high definition cameras.
