NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah announced a comprehensive roadmap to enhance passenger convenience, strengthen airport security, and modernize immigration services across India’s major airports. During a high-level review meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Shah evaluated passenger facilities, security arrangements, and immigration systems at airports nationwide, while directing officials to accelerate infrastructure upgrades and improve the overall travel experience.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, including the Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and other senior officers.
Automatic Tray Retrieval System to Be Expanded
One of the key decisions taken during the meeting was the phased installation of the Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS) at airports across India. The system is designed to automate the return of security trays after baggage screening, helping reduce waiting time for passengers while improving operational efficiency.
Amit Shah directed officials to ensure that ATRS is introduced in phases at existing airports and made a standard feature at all newly developed airports. The move is also expected to optimize manpower deployment and improve the overall security screening process.
Comprehensive Plan for Seamless Passenger Movement
The Home Minister emphasized the need for an integrated framework to manage passenger flow efficiently from the moment travellers enter an airport until they board their flights.
He instructed authorities to develop a coordinated system that considers the relationship between entry gates, check-in counters, security screening lanes, and immigration counters. According to the government, such a framework will help eliminate bottlenecks and ensure uninterrupted movement across every touch-point inside airport terminals.
Officials informed the meeting that a coordinated plan is already being prepared to improve passenger movement and reduce congestion during peak travel hours.
Development of 62 Airports Within Two Years
Amit Shah also reviewed the progress of airport infrastructure projects currently underway across the country. He directed that the 21 airports under active development, along with another 41 airports identified for upgrades, should be prioritized according to passenger traffic and security requirements.
He instructed that all development work must comply with security standards prescribed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) while ensuring passenger convenience. Commercial areas within airports should also remain within prescribed norms.
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The Home Minister set a target of completing work at all 62 airports within the next two years, highlighting the government’s focus on expanding aviation infrastructure alongside improved security standards.
More Aerobridges and Expanded Baggage Drop Facilities
To improve passenger comfort, Amit Shah directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to establish clear norms for determining the number of aerobridges required at airports based on passenger volumes and aircraft movements.
He also instructed officials to extend baggage drop facilities beyond the current 16 major airports. International airports experiencing heavy passenger traffic are expected to receive similar facilities, enabling faster check-in procedures and reducing queues inside terminals.
The government believes these measures will significantly improve the travel experience for domestic and international passengers.
No Relaxation in CISF Screening Standards
During the review, Amit Shah stressed that there should be no compromise in the educational qualifications prescribed for CISF personnel responsible for X-ray baggage screening.
He directed that only officers and personnel possessing the required qualifications should be assigned to screening duties. The decision reflects the government’s emphasis on maintaining high security standards while handling increasing passenger traffic at airports.
Immigration Services to Be Strengthened
The meeting also focused on modernizing immigration infrastructure.
Amit Shah directed that Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) offices should become operational at the headquarters of every state by 2027. The move is expected to strengthen immigration management and improve services for foreign nationals.
He further instructed authorities to operationalize authorized immigration checkpoints at Agartala Airport and Jewar Airport at the earliest, enabling smoother international travel from these locations.
Push for Fast Track Immigration Programme
To encourage greater use of the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Travellers’ Programme (FTI-TTP), the Home Minister proposed closer coordination with airlines.
Under the proposed system, airlines would send WhatsApp messages to passengers while booking international tickets, encouraging them to register for the programme. The initiative is expected to increase awareness and participation, allowing eligible travellers to benefit from faster immigration clearance at airports.
Independent Studies to Reduce Passenger Delays
Recognizing the growing number of air travellers in India, Amit Shah directed both the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the CISF to independently commission third-party studies during peak travel seasons.
These studies will assess passenger delays across different airport touch-points, identify operational bottlenecks, and recommend measures to improve efficiency.
The government expects the findings to help airports deliver smoother passenger movement, reduce waiting times, and strengthen security without compromising traveller convenience.
With India’s aviation sector witnessing rapid growth, the Centre’s latest directives aim to modernize airport infrastructure, improve passenger services, and ensure that security systems keep pace with increasing demand over the coming years.
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