The Digi Yatra initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has achieved a significant milestone with over 1.74 million passengers downloading and using the Digi Yatra application on their mobile phones. Since its launch on December 1, 2022, by Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, this digital facility has been embraced by a large number of travelers seeking a seamless and efficient airport experience.
As of June 20, 2023, the breakdown of Digi Yatra application users is as follows:
- Total App Users: 1,020,000
- Android Users: 866,000
- iOS Users: 154,000
The user data for each airport since the inauguration of the Digi Yatra facility is as follows:
- Delhi: 648,359
- Bengaluru: 503,802
- Varanasi: 225,847
- Vijayawada: 46,668
- Kolkata: 180,361
- Pune: 104,133
- Hyderabad: 37,133
The Digi Yatra initiative was initially launched at three airports, namely New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi, in December 2022. Subsequently, it expanded to include Vijayawada, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Pune in April 2023, enabling a greater number of passengers to benefit from its services.
Digi Yatra is designed to revolutionize the passenger experience by implementing a biometric boarding system that utilizes Facial Biometric Verification Technology. Its primary objective is to streamline airport processes, eliminating the need for manual verification of tickets and identification at multiple touchpoints. By leveraging a digital framework, Digi Yatra aims to enhance efficiency and throughput within existing infrastructure.
One of the key aspects of Digi Yatra is the protection of passengers’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The system does not store PII centrally, ensuring data privacy and security. All passenger data is encrypted and stored in the wallet of their smartphone, only shared for a limited duration with the originating airport where the passenger’s Digi Yatra ID requires validation.
Importantly, the data is purged from the system within 24 hours of the flight, ensuring that passengers’ information is handled responsibly. The encrypted data is shared directly by the passengers themselves and can only be accessed by the origin airport. It cannot be utilized or shared by any other entity, safeguarding passengers’ privacy and maintaining data confidentiality.
The impressive milestone achieved by Digi Yatra reflects the growing acceptance and recognition of this digital solution among travelers in India. As more airports embrace the initiative, it is expected to continue enhancing the airport experience, simplifying processes, and ensuring a seamless journey for passengers across the country.
