Amit Shah orders swift completion of immigration checkpoints at Jewar and Agartala airports

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday directed that authorised immigration checkpoints at the Jewar airport in Noida and the Agartala airport be made operational at the earliest.

Reviewing passenger facilities, security arrangements, and the immigration system at major airports with Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Shah directed that 21 under-development airports and the remaining 41 airports be prioritised for development based on passenger traffic, in accordance with the security standards prescribed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Shah instructed that all 62 airports should be fully operational within two years, aiming to enhance passenger convenience while ensuring that commercial areas comply with established norms.

He stated that Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) offices should be made operational at the headquarters of all States by 2027. “He also directed that the authorised immigration checkpoints at Agartala and Jewar airports be made operational at the earliest,” the government said in a statement. To promote the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Travellers’ Programme (FTI-TTP), Shah suggested establishing a mechanism in coordination with airlines to send WhatsApp messages to passengers when booking international tickets, encouraging them to register for FTI-TTP.

Shah called for the phased installation of the Automated X-ray Tray Return System (ATRS) at all airports nationwide to reduce human resource costs and establish appropriate standards for this system.

The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Director General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Chairman of Airports Authority of India and several other senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Civil Aviation, the statement said. Shah directed the development of a comprehensive framework that considers the interdependence of entry lanes, check-in counters, security screening lanes, and immigration counters at airports to prevent disruptions in passenger flow at any touch-point. He mentioned that a coordinated plan has been created for each touch-point at airports to ensure the seamless movement of passengers.

The Union Minister also directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to lay down norms for the number of aerobridges at all airports based on passenger traffic and air traffic, the statement said.

He highlighted that the baggage drop facility, currently available at 16 major airports, should be extended to other international airports with high passenger traffic as well. Shah emphasised the importance of maintaining the educational qualifications required for personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) assigned to X-ray screening duties, stating that only officers and personnel meeting these educational criteria should be tasked with these responsibilities. The home minister said that the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Central Industrial Security Force should independently commission separate third-party studies during peak season to assess and reduce passenger delays at all touchpoints across major airports.