Shah Expands Fast-Track Immigration to 5 More Airports
Shah Expands Fast-Track Immigration to 5 More Airports
India’s Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, is set to significantly expand the nation’s streamlined immigration process. Today, he will virtually inaugurate the “Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Program” (FTI-TTP) at five additional international airports: Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Tiruchirappalli, and Amritsar. This expansion builds upon the program’s initial launch at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on June 22nd, 2024, and its subsequent rollout to seven other major airports earlier this year.
Accelerating Immigration with Biometrics
The FTI-TTP leverages biometric authentication technology, enabling pre-verified travelers to utilize automated e-gates for expedited immigration clearance. A senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official reported that the program has already achieved a remarkable 60% reduction in processing times for enrolled participants. This initiative aligns perfectly with the government’s “Viksit Bharat” @2047 vision, aiming to modernize and enhance India’s travel infrastructure.
Seamless and Secure Travel for All
This user-friendly program is designed to provide a world-class travel experience, making international journeys smoother and more secure. Both Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders can register for the FTI-TTP free of charge. The program’s future expansion to include foreign nationals is also under consideration.
Enrolment Process and Future Plans
Registration involves a simple online process, requiring applicants to submit their details and necessary documents through a dedicated portal. Biometric data is then collected either at a Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or directly at the airport. With this latest expansion, the FTI-TTP will now be available at thirteen airports nationwide, with plans to eventually cover twenty-one major airports across India. This strategic expansion underscores the government’s commitment to improving the passenger experience and bolstering India’s international travel infrastructure.