India set to pilot biometric-based immigration next year

03 Oct 2024 CW Team

Currently, the Digi Yatra facility, which enables seamless digital boarding using facial recognition, is available for domestic passengers at 24 airports across the country. The next step involves collaborating with the Bureau of Immigration and visa-issuing agencies to extend this service to international travelers entering and leaving India.

The initial rollout will target international passengers, with Indian citizens gaining access once the government begins issuing e-passports. Khadakbhavi noted that this move would simplify the immigration process by reducing the need for passengers to repeatedly show travel documents at multiple checkpoints, enabling quicker clearance at both departure and arrival points.

India is currently testing e-passports at regional passport offices in Bhubaneswar and Nagpur. Following a successful pilot and necessary certifications, the Ministry of External Affairs plans to implement e-passports nationwide in phases. The new e-passports will feature a combination of paper and electronic components, including an embedded RFID chip that stores critical data, making them harder to forge. The design complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

“Countries within the European Union, Singapore, and others have already adopted e-passports, and a significant portion of their citizens hold such documents. Thus, we are looking to involve them in our pilot project,” Khadakbhavi added.

The government is also drafting a national policy to transform Indian airports into major international hubs that provide single-point connectivity for the entire South Asian region. The policy, which will require Cabinet approval, aims to address security and immigration challenges, allocate international flying rights, and enhance infrastructure to position airports like Delhi’s as competitive transit hubs alongside Dubai and Singapore. (ET)

India plans to launch a pilot study for facial biometric-based immigration in June 2025, according to Suresh Khadakbhavi , CEO, Digi Yatra Foundation. Speaking at the CAPA Digital Aviation Summit, Khadakbhavi stated, “We are planning an international pilot project between two countries. While we don’t want to overcommit, we are actively working in this direction.” Currently, the Digi Yatra facility, which enables seamless digital boarding using facial recognition, is available for domestic passengers at 24 airports across the country. The next step involves collaborating with the Bureau of Immigration and visa-issuing agencies to extend this service to international travelers entering and leaving India. The initial rollout will target international passengers, with Indian citizens gaining access once the government begins issuing e-passports. Khadakbhavi noted that this move would simplify the immigration process by reducing the need for passengers to repeatedly show travel documents at multiple checkpoints, enabling quicker clearance at both departure and arrival points. India is currently testing e-passports at regional passport offices in Bhubaneswar and Nagpur. Following a successful pilot and necessary certifications, the Ministry of External Affairs plans to implement e-passports nationwide in phases. The new e-passports will feature a combination of paper and electronic components, including an embedded RFID chip that stores critical data, making them harder to forge. The design complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. “Countries within the European Union, Singapore, and others have already adopted e-passports, and a significant portion of their citizens hold such documents. Thus, we are looking to involve them in our pilot project,” Khadakbhavi added. The government is also drafting a national policy to transform Indian airports into major international hubs that provide single-point connectivity for the entire South Asian region. The policy, which will require Cabinet approval, aims to address security and immigration challenges, allocate international flying rights, and enhance infrastructure to position airports like Delhi’s as competitive transit hubs alongside Dubai and Singapore. (ET)

Infrastructure Urban

04 May 2026

Jyoti Structures FY26 profit rises 56.5%

Jyoti Structures (JSL) recently reported strong financial results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026, driven by disciplined execution, cost management and steady progress across its order book.For Q4 FY2025-26, total income rose 44.2 per cent to Rs 2.41 billion from Rs 1.67 billion in Q4 FY2024-25. EBITDA increased 58.6 per cent to Rs 237 million, while EBITDA margin improved by 89 basis points to 9.84 per cent. Profit before tax grew 53.3 per cent to Rs 188.5 million, and net profit rose 51.9 per cent to Rs 181.4 million.For FY2025-26, total income grew 53.1 per cent to Rs 7.72 bill..

Infrastructure Energy

04 May 2026

Cat BEPU to Power Doppstadt Separator at IFAT 2026

Caterpillar’s Cat Battery Electric Power Unit (BEPU) has been selected by Doppstadt to power its SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator, which will be showcased for the first time at IFAT 2026 in Munich, Germany, from 4–7 May.The compact plug-and-play BEPU is designed to replace a diesel engine within the same space, using the same mounting locations and relative machine position. It integrates the battery, motor, inverter, onboard charging, cooling and controls, enabling OEMs to electrify existing chassis platforms without extensive redesign.Caterpillar and Cat dealer Zeppelin Power Systems have be..

Infrastructure Urban

04 May 2026

VECV sales rise 6.9% in April 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles, a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, recorded sales of 7,318 units in April 2026, compared to 6,846 units in April 2025, registering 6.9 per cent growth. The total included 7,159 units under the Eicher brand and 159 units under the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,159 units during the month, up 6.6 per cent from 6,717 units in April 2025. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 8.6 per cent to 6,797 units from 6,257 units a year earlier.Exports declined 21.3 per cent, with VECV recording 362 units in ..