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E-passports may help reduce frauds

Anupama Sushil - New Delhi

The much awaited e-passport has finally been launched in India - the first such step taken in a developing nation. The e-passports will initially be issued to diplomats and officials and would be available for issuance to the general public next year onwards. The new e-passports would include a chip inside them that would carry all information pertaining to the person travelling, including the person's finger prints. The e-passports will serve to facilitate the authorities in assessing the movements of the person carrying it it, which in turn would help in reducing fraud.

Reacting to this development, Rajeev Kohli, director of marketing, Creative Travel said, "The upgraded passports are definitely a move forward. These passports will make it easier for all the Indian nationals to pass through checks in a much easier and a hassle-free method. This is bound to reduce frauds. It is time that we attain international standards in passports as this will make travelling easier and also make the passport look more genuine. The inconsistency factor will then fade away if such a system comes into place. We welcome such a move."

Subash Goyal, chairman, tourism committee, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and chairman, Stic Travel added that having e- passports is extremely necessary. Although the e-passports will be issued to the general public only later next year, a lot of systems need to be put in place for smooth running of the e-passport system. The industry considers this as a very successful lead taken by the government, he stated. Looking ahead, he added that when India is a recognised IT giant and hub, and tops the list in software development, the country and the travel industry should look forward to e- visas now. It will become easier for foreign nationals to travel to India once e-visas come into place.