International passenger traffic increased since 2014: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Sep 11: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah Thursday inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode, and Amritsar airports through video conferencing. On this occasion, several dignitaries including the Union Home Secretary and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau were present.
On this occasion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah said that this facility will not only enhance the convenience of travellers but also provide an opportunity to introduce them to the changes taking place in the country. He said that the next stage of enhancing travellers’ convenience, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Speed, Scale, and Scope, starts today with this programme. Shah added that Prime Minister Modi has always emphasized that, along with technological tools, we must also act as a trust multiplier, and today’s programme is a significant step in that direction.
Amit Shah said that with the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), seamless immigration facilities will be available at the airports, starting today. He emphasized that merely providing convenience is not enough; we must ensure that the maximum number of travellers benefit from it. To achieve this, efforts should be made to enable registration at the time of issuing passports and OCI cards. He said that if this can be implemented, traveller’s will not need to return for fingerprinting or documentation, and they can travel using their passports whenever they wish. Union Home Minister said that all technical possibilities should be explored to ensure that maximum number of people benefit from this programme. He added that while Indian citizens will certainly benefit, OCI cardholders will benefit the most.
Union Home Minister said that the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) is a programme that enhances both convenience and national security. He said that the programme was launched in 2024 from Delhi, followed by its implementation at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Ahmedabad airports, and today, five new airports have been added. Shah stated that this process is now operational at a total of 13 airports simultaneously. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs has planned to integrate this programme with the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports. Shah mentioned that all those who have used this facility so far have praised it. Travellers now experience no long queues or manual checking, receiving immigration clearance in just 30 seconds without delays. He said that approximately 3 lakh travellers have registered on this portal, of which 2.65 lakh have utilized it during travel, and efforts should be made to continuously increase this number.
Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, over the past 11 years, there has been significant increase in international passenger traffic. He said that in 2014, the number of travellers going abroad was 3.54 crore, which increased by approximately 73 percent to 6.12 crore in 2024. Similarly, the number of foreign travellers visiting India was 1.53 crore in 2014, which rose by about 31 percent to approximately 2 crore in 2024. He said that combining both figures, the total number of passengers in 2014 was 5.07 crore, compared to 8.12 crore in 2024, representing those who either arrived from abroad or travelled overseas, indicating an overall increase of 60 percent. Shah emphasized that our goal should be to ensure that all Indian citizens and OCI cardholders benefit from this facility.
The FTI-TTP has been implemented through an online portal, https://ftittp.mha.gov.in. To enroll in this program, applicants must register online on the portal by filling in their details and uploading the required documents. The biometrics of registered applicants are collected at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or while passing through the airport. Registered travellers need to scan their boarding pass, issued by the airline, at the e-Gate and then scan their passport. The traveller’s biometrics are verified at the e-Gates installed at arrival and departure points. Upon successful verification, the e-Gate automatically opens, and immigration clearance is granted. (PIB)