Amit Shah, inaugurates Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI–TTP) at five more airports – Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode, and Amritsar – through video conferencing. This marks a new phase in enhancing passengers’ convenience while ensuring national security, aligning with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Speed, Scale, and Scope.

A Step Towards Seamless Immigration

• Speaking on the occasion, Shri Amit Shah emphasized that FTI–TTP is not just about providing comfort to passengers but also about introducing them to the technological transformation taking place in India. The programme ensures that travellers no longer have to stand in long queues or face delays due to manual checking. With this system, immigration clearance can now be completed in just 30 seconds.
• The Union Home Minister highlighted that efforts should be made to link this facility with the issuance of passports and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards. This would allow maximum participation without the need for travellers to return for fingerprinting or documentation. While Indian citizens will benefit greatly, Shri Shah pointed out that OCI cardholders stand to gain the most from this facility.

Expansion Across Airports

• The FTI–TTP was first launched in 2024 at Delhi Airport, and subsequently expanded to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Ahmedabad. With the addition of the five new airports, the programme is now operational at a total of 13 airports across India. Plans are also in place to extend this facility to the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports.
• That around 3 lakh travellers have registered on the portal so far, and 2.65 lakh travellers have already used the facility. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users appreciating the speed and efficiency of the system.

Growth in Passenger Traffic

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, international passenger traffic has witnessed significant growth over the past 11 years. In 2014, the number of Indians travelling abroad stood at 3.54 crore, which increased by 73% to 6.12 crore in 2024. Similarly, the number of foreign visitors to India rose from 1.53 crore in 2014 to nearly 2 crore in 2024, reflecting a 31% increase. Overall, the combined passenger movement increased from 5.07 crore in 2014 to 8.12 crore in 2024, marking a 60% rise.

Enrolment and Process

The FTI–TTP is managed through an online portal: ftittp.mha.gov.in Applicants need to register online, fill in details, and upload documents. Their biometrics are collected at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or during airport transit. At the airport, registered travellers simply scan their boarding pass and passport at e-Gates. After biometric verification, the e-Gate opens automatically, granting seamless immigration clearance.

Key Facts / Takeaways

• Newly added airports: Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode, Amritsar.
• Operational at: 13 airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad + 5 new).
• Future expansion: Navi Mumbai & Jewar airports.
• Clearance time: 30 seconds at e-Gates.
• Registrations: ~3 lakh; Active users: 2.65 lakh.