Latest news with #DigiYatra
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
Facial Recognition Introduced At 7 Of India's Busiest Railway Stations. Here's What Changes
1/10 What Is FRT: FRT identifies unique facial features, such as the position of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and matches them against photos in a secure database. The system is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, allowing it to detect faces quickly and accurately in real-time. (News18 Telugu) 3/10 Benefits: Railway stations witness the daily movement of lakhs of passengers, making them vulnerable to theft, suspicious activity, and even terrorist threats. With FRT, security personnel can identify potential threats early, track suspects, and prevent crimes more effectively. (News18 Telugu) The use of FRT offers several advantages as with this feature, suspects can be identified instantly, which helps deter crime. It also reduces the need for manual ticket checks, thereby cutting down waiting time for passengers. It also assists in better crowd management by helping authorities monitor passenger flow. (News18 Telugu) Global Use Of FRT: Facial recognition is being used in over 100 countries worldwide. It is particularly widespread in China, where the technology is implemented at intersections, shopping malls, and public transport hubs. Countries like the US, Russia, Japan, Singapore, and the UAE have also integrated FRT in various sectors. (News18 Telugu) How Is Aadhaar Data Involved: India's Aadhaar database includes photos, fingerprints, and iris scans of nearly every citizen. In theory, FRT could be linked to Aadhaar images. However, Indian law prohibits the use of Aadhaar data for general surveillance. According to UIDAI, Aadhaar can only be used for authenticating government schemes and not for mass facial recognition. (News18 Telugu) Concerns and Limitations: While the technology brings many benefits, it also comes with challenges. Privacy remains a major concern, as personal data is being recorded. Misidentification is possible, especially if the face is partially covered or lighting is poor. The high cost of implementation and risks of data breaches also raise red flags. (News18 Telugu) Where Else is it Being Used in India?: Beyond railway stations, facial recognition is being deployed across sectors. At airports, the Digi Yatra system allows ticketless boarding. Delhi Police have used FRT to locate over 3,000 missing children. Educational institutions use it for tracking student attendance, and banks are beginning to use it for customer verification. (News18 Telugu) 9/10 Facial recognition represents a significant leap in India's security infrastructure. It has the potential to streamline operations, boost surveillance, and enhance public safety. (News18 Telugu) 10/10 While the benefits of facial recognition are undeniable, the government must ensure that proper checks and balances are in place. Addressing privacy concerns, regulating data usage, and ensuring transparency are crucial as the country moves towards a more tech-driven public security model. (News18 Telugu)
News18
17 hours ago
- News18
Mumbai, Delhi Railway Stations To Get AI Facial Recognition Technology: How Will It Boost Safety?
Last Updated: Mumbai, Delhi Railway Stations To Get AI Facial Recognition Technology: Along with security, FRT can be used to speed up ticket checking and boarding process and surveillance Mumbai, Delhi Railway Stations To Get AI Facial Recognition Technology: Seven major railway stations, including Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and New Delhi, are set to get Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition systems to enhance security. Along with security, the technology can be used to speed up ticket checking and boarding process, saving passengers long queues. It will be implemented under the plan to make railway stations smart stations, in which the focus is being on increasing security, surveillance, and passenger facilities. The technology is already in use at other spots such as airports. What is facial recognition technology? Facial recognition is a biometric technology that identifies a person by analysing his/her facial features. This technology scans the eyes, nose, mouth and facial structure in the face in digital images or video frames. It matches it with the information present in the database. It is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms Facial recognition technology helps identify suspicious persons, especially those who are registered in the criminal database. This technology is helpful in monitoring suspicious activities and catching criminals, thereby increasing security at stations. Does the law allow FRT to be linked to the Aadhaar database? Under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, Aadhaar data can be used only for specific purposes (such as authentication for government schemes). Using Aadhaar data for FRT requires special permission and legal process. UIDAI had said that Aadhaar data can be used for FRT only when it is part of the authentication process, and not for general surveillance. How does facial recognition help? This technology can instantly identify criminals, wanted persons, or suspects, thereby increasing security at stations. Time is saved in ticket checking and identity verification, which improves the passenger experience. This technology works more accurately and faster than manual monitoring. Crime can be prevented by identifying suspicious activities at an early stage. This technology can also help in understanding passenger flow and improving station management. Are there any concerns? Facial recognition technology stores and uses passengers' personal information, raising concerns of privacy violations. Then this technology is not always 100% accurate. Poor lighting, facial makeup, or technical errors can lead to misidentification. If the facial information stored in the database is hacked or misused, it can be a serious problem. The cost of implementing and maintaining this technology is high, which can ultimately burden taxpayers. Where is this technology implemented in India? In India, this technology is in use at airports. Under the Digi Yatra initiative at Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other airports, facial recognition technology is being used to speed up passenger identification and boarding process. It allows passengers to enter and board airports without paper tickets or ID checks. This technology was launched at some Indian airports in July 2019. The Delhi Police has started using facial recognition technology to identify missing children and criminals. During the trial in 2019, about 3,000 missing children were identified with the help of this technology. The NCRB has worked towards implementing Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) for identification and monitoring of criminals. This technology helps in crime control by matching it with CCTV footage and database. Facial recognition technology is also being used in Delhi and Chennai for surveillance at traffic signals, public places and other areas. This technology helps the police to track suspicious persons faster. Facial recognition technology is being used in some schools and colleges to track attendance and identify absent students. This technology is used in some banks for customer verification and security. Is China using this technology? Facial recognition technology is widely used in China with CCTV cameras at intersections and roads. As of 2018, China had more than 170 million CCTV cameras. There were plans to increase it to 400 million by 2020. These cameras are used to identify traffic violators, monitor suspicious activities, and track social behavior. Under China's 'Sharp Eyes" project, a national surveillance network has been created by integrating cameras at intersections, roads, shopping malls, and other public places. This network tracks the activities of citizens using facial recognition and AI. Apart from intersections, FRT in China is also used in banks, airports, hotels and even public toilets. According to the 2024 report of Compartech, FRT is being used at workplaces in 40% of the countries of the world, while this technology is applicable in some buses in 24% of the countries and in some trains and metros in about 40% of the countries. In the United States, China, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, South Korea and European countries like United Kingdom, Germany, and France, FRT is being used in airports, police surveillance, public transport, and private sectors. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : AI Facial Recognition china facial recognition surveillance facial recognition Facial Recognition privacy concerns news18 specials view comments Location : Mumbai, India, India First Published: July 21, 2025, 17:08 IST News explainers Mumbai, Delhi Railway Stations To Get AI Facial Recognition Technology: How Will It Boost Safety? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Kolkata airport gets DigiYatra facility for contactless travel
A DigiYatra facility was inaugurated at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport on Thursday, marking a significant stride in contactless travel. The service is specifically designed to streamline the experience for domestic transfer passengers. The facility was inaugurated by passengers in the presence of PR Beuria, Airport Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with other senior AAI officials. The DigiYatra facility was first officially launched for general domestic passengers at the Kolkata airport on March 31, 2023. Kolkata was part of the second phase of DigiYatra implementation in India, following the initial launch at Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi airports in December 2022. 'The latest addition leverages facial recognition technology to facilitate faster passenger movement, significantly reducing processing times and enhancing security,' said an official.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Winter bonanza for flyers: No. of flights set to double, connect 13 cities from Raja Bhoj Airport
Bhopal: Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal, received approval for 60 daily flight movements, comprising 30 departures and 30 arrivals, connecting 13 destinations in the forthcoming winter schedule. Presently, there is a movement of 30 flights per day with 9 destinations. The schedule commences on Oct 25, 2025, with final confirmation expected by Sept 25. Four airlines will provide these services: IndiGo (6E), Air India (AI), Air India Express (IX), and Alliance Air (S9). Director Airport, Ramjee Awasthi, confirmed TOI about the enhanced flight movements. "We have received 60 flight movement slots for the winter schedule," said Awasthi, adding, "We continue our dedication to provide excellent airport services whilst pursuing additional routes and airlines." IndiGo leads with 21 flights, serving Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and additional cities. Air India will operate 4 flights, with 3 to Delhi and 1 to Mumbai. Air India Express plans 2 Bangalore flights and a new Navi Mumbai service starting January 1, 2026. Fly Big Airlines will connect Bhopal to Rewa and Datia. Direct flights will serve: Delhi (8 flights), Bangalore (4 flights), Mumbai (3 flights), Pune (3 flights), Hyderabad (2 flights), and single daily flights to Ahmedabad, Goa, Datia, Dewas, Rewa, Raipur, Navi Mumbai, and Kolkata. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo A four-times-weekly Kolkata service strengthens eastern connectivity. The Navi Mumbai route launches on January 1, 2026, operated jointly by IndiGo and Air India Express. Delhi receives comprehensive coverage with 8 daily flights split between IndiGo and Air India. This schedule expansion demonstrates Bhopal's increasing air travel demand and establishes the airport as a crucial aviation centre in Madhya Pradesh, supporting regional development through improved connectivity. GFX FLIGHT MOVEMENTS IN WINTER SCHEDULE Operational Statistics: Daily Movements: 60 Destinations: 13 Operating Airlines: 4 Infrastructure Improvements: The schedule implementation coincides with several upgrades: - New Arrival area activation - Renovated passenger toilets - Digi Yatra implementation - CAT-II Low Visibility Procedure installation
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kol airport flags off DigiYatra for transit flyers
1 2 Kolkata: Some passengers, transiting Kolkata airport on Thursday, had a smoother experience with the commissioning of DigiYatra services in the domestic-to-domestic (D2D) transfer area. The facility can make a big difference to more than 3,500 flyers who travel between the Northeast and other Indian cities via Kolkata airport daily. Passengers who have the DigiYatra app on their cellphones and have their boarding passes uploaded on it will be able to skip the queue at the D2D gate. "The move will ease congestion and expedite security procedures for more than 3,500-4,000 daily flyers who use the D2D facility, many of whom travel to and from the Northeast. The tech upgrade will especially help passengers racing to catch connecting flights," said airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria. The gates were installed in March, but the commissioning was delayed due to regulatory clearances. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The rollout is expected to significantly boost DigiYatra usage, which is currently around 7,000 or 28% of flyers departing Kolkata airport. Sources said around 500 transit flyers had DigiYatra apps on their mobiles. "We will deploy people to help others start using DigiYatra," an official said.
