Amit Shah Directs Phased Rollout Of Automated X-Ray Tray Return System At Airports

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday directed officials to install an Automated X-ray Tray Return System (ATRS) at airports across the country in a phased manner to reduce human resource costs. He also called for appropriate standards to ensure all new airports incorporate ATRS.

The review meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and senior officials on passenger facilities, airport security and immigration systems included the directions.

Shah also instructed officials to develop a comprehensive framework integrating entry lanes, check-in counters, security screening lanes and immigration counters to ensure seamless passenger movement across all touch-points.

Shah directed priority for the 21 airports currently under development and the remaining 41 airports based on passenger traffic and the security norms prescribed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). He instructed that all 62 airports complete the work within the next two years.

The Minister also asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation to establish norms for the number of aerobridges based on passenger and air traffic. He further directed the Ministry to extend baggage drop facilities, currently available at 16 major airports, to other high-traffic international airports.

The Home Minister said there should be no dilution in the educational qualifications prescribed for CISF personnel assigned to X-ray screening and directed that only qualified personnel perform screening duties. He further instructed that Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) offices be operational at all state headquarters by 2027 and called for the early operationalisation of authorised immigration checkpoints at Agartala and Jewar airports.

Shah also proposed promoting the Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Travellers’ Programme (FTI-TTP) through WhatsApp messages sent by airlines during international ticket bookings. He directed the Civil Aviation Ministry and CISF to separately commission third-party studies during peak travel seasons to identify and reduce passenger delays.