The Centre’s directions call for a phased rollout of technology-driven passenger facilitation measures while strengthening airport security and operational efficiency.
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The Centre has set a two-year deadline to complete passenger infrastructure upgrades at 62 airports across the country.The directions were issued during a high-level review meeting on passenger facilities, security arrangements and immigration systems at major airports, chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah and attended by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu.These directions call for a phased rollout of technology-driven passenger facilitation measures while strengthening airport security and operational efficiency.As per an official statement, Shah directed that the 21 airports currently under development, along with another 41 airports, be prioritised based on passenger traffic while adhering to security standards prescribed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).Shah further directed that work at all 62 airports be completed within the next two years while ensuring that commercial areas remain within the prescribed norms.Besides, it was decided that the Automatic Tray Retrieval Systems (ATRS) be installed in a phased manner across airports to reduce human resource costs.The statement said the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) was instructed to lay down appropriate standards to ensure that the system is incorporated at all new airports.Furthermore, directions were given for a comprehensive framework to be developed by taking into account the interdependence between entry lanes, check-in counters, security screening lanes and immigration counters so that passenger movement is not disrupted at any touch-point.Additionally, the MoCA has been entrusted with the responsibility of formulating norms governing the number of aerobridges at airports based on passenger and aircraft traffic.In the case of the baggage drop facility, currently available at 16 major airports, it was decided that the same be extended to other international airports handling high passenger traffic.Additionally, Shah said there should be no dilution in the educational qualifications prescribed for Central Industrial Security Force personnel deployed for X-ray screening and directed that only officers and personnel possessing the requisite qualifications be assigned to such duties.On immigration, the Home Minister directed that Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) offices be made operational at the headquarters of all States by 2027.He also instructed that authorised immigration checkpoints at Agartala and Jewar airports be made operational at the earliest.Apart from this, Shah directed that, in coordination with airlines, a mechanism be developed to promote the Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Travellers’ Programme (FTI-TTP) by sending WhatsApp messages to passengers at the time of booking international tickets, requesting them to register for the programme.Published on July 8, 2026
