Editor
Guwahati's Airport Takes a Digital Leap
Guwahati, Assam: In a significant leap forward in airport technology, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati has become the first airport in the northeastern region to introduce the cutting-edge 'Digi Yatra' facility. This revolutionary service promises to streamline the passenger experience, reducing waiting times and enhancing security measures. The Digi Yatra system will be accessible in three key areas of the airport: the main entrance, check-in counters, and boarding areas.
Chandra Mohan Patowary, the Minister of Industries & Commerce for Assam, lauded this groundbreaking development, stating, "Earlier, people needed to wait in long queues at Guwahati airport. This will be a thing of the past from now."
Union Civil Aviation Secretary Rajeev Bansal further elucidated the benefits of the Digi Yatra initiative, highlighting its innovative use of facial recognition technology. "Passengers will be able to register their documents on the ‘Digi Yatra’ app and enter the airport by scanning their faces. The gate will open as soon as the face is recognized on the camera," he explained. This technology promises to expedite the check-in and security processes, making air travel smoother and more efficient.
Utpal Baruah, Chief Airport Officer at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, expressed optimism about the positive impact of Digi Yatra. He anticipates that a majority of passengers in the North East will opt for this hassle-free facility in the future. Baruah also revealed that, initially, the Digi Yatra service is exclusively available for Indigo and Akasa passengers at Guwahati airport. However, he assured that other airlines will soon offer this service as well, making it accessible to a broader range of travelers.
But what exactly is the Digi Yatra initiative? According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Digi Yatra employs advanced facial recognition technology to create a seamless and trouble-free experience for passengers at airports. Its primary objective is to eliminate the need for manual verification of tickets and identification documents at various touchpoints within the airport.
The Ministry emphasized that Digi Yatra prioritizes passenger privacy and security. No personally identifiable information (PII) of passengers is stored during the Digi Yatra process. Instead, all passenger data is encrypted and securely stored in their smartphone wallet, ensuring that personal information remains confidential.
In an era marked by technological innovation, the introduction of Digi Yatra at Guwahati's airport marks a significant milestone in making air travel more convenient and secure for passengers in the Northeast. As the system expands to encompass more airlines and airports, the future of travel in the region appears brighter than ever.