GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced on June 14 the introduction of innovative biometric registration kiosks at the airport’s international arrival pier.
According to GMR’s press release, these kiosks are tailored for foreign nationals arriving in India with visas where biometric information was not collected during the visa application process. This marks the first implementation of such kiosks at any airport in India and will be operated directly under the supervision of the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).
The kiosks, established by DIAL, aim to streamline the immigration process significantly. Upon registration of biometric information at the kiosks, the time taken by immigration officers at the counters is expected to be reduced by more than 50%.
Previously, visa-holding passengers arriving in Delhi without biometric registration had to use specific immigration counters, leading to average wait times of 4-5 minutes per passenger and potentially longer delays during peak hours.
Key Benefits of the Biometric Registration Kiosks:
- Reduced Wait Times: Passengers using e-visas can now complete their biometric registration upon arrival at the kiosks, reducing wait times by over 50% at immigration counters.
- Enhanced Efficiency: The kiosks improve overall immigration processing efficiency, facilitating faster passenger clearance.
- Improved Passenger Experience: They offer a more convenient and time-saving experience for arriving passengers, especially those unable to complete biometric registration during the visa application process.
- Expansion Plans: Currently, five kiosks are operational at Delhi Airport’s International Arrival pier, with plans to install an additional five soon to further expedite the immigration process.
CEO of DIAL, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, emphasized, “DIAL is committed to providing a world-class travel experience. The introduction of these biometric registration kiosks at Delhi Airport underscores our efforts to enhance passenger convenience by expediting immigration processes, particularly for those facing challenges with biometric submission during visa applications.”
