Automated baggage check-in system at Delhi airport by Sept

NEW DELHI: The Indira Gandhi International airport has been testing a “Self-bag Drop or SBD” system under which the baggage check in process is automated and controlled by the passengers themselves, for the second time. It plans to implement the baggage check-in system in September with an eye on reducing crowds at check-in counters and making the baggage check-in process smooth and fast.

Many international airports have this facility which allows passengers, once they have their boarding cards or tickets scanned, to weigh their baggage, print out baggage tags and check in their baggage. Delhi International Airport Ltd experimented with the system in 2016 but maintains that it was just a demo and not extensive trials. The second test started around 45 days ago and is seen as the final step before the facility is introduced.

“A demo was conducted in 2016 by another Australian company but it was not tried for long. This is the first extensive trial, which was started around 45 days ago and will continue for another 2 to 3 months. The trial is being done in integration with other facilities of the airport, so that there is no need for a trial in the future. Once the trial is over, we will go for open bidding to have the system installed,” a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) official said. According to airport officials, the entire process, which takes 20-30 minutes manually, will take only two to three minutes under the SBD system. “After successful trials and evaluation, DIAL plans to implement self baggage drops at T1 and T3,” said a DIAL spokesperson.

According to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which manages security at airports, the move will ease congestion in the check-in area.

“Though baggage check-in is the responsibility of airlines and airport operators, the long queue at the counters leads to chaos. Technology can help reduce congestion. SBD is the future. We are also testing a new baggage scanner for hand baggage, which has good baggage clearance rate,” a CISF officer said.

The in-line baggage system at the Delhi airport has five levels and bags go through several screeners before being loaded on to a plane. This process starts after airline staff completes the check-in process. “Airports across the globe have been using SBD for years. This will help frequent fliers the most,” Mark D Martin, founder and CEO, Martin Consulting, said. NEWDELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah is likely to monitor the Delhi BJP unit’s preparation for the 2019 general elections through Whatsapp.

The BJP’S state unit has created over 1,800 groups on the messaging platform through which updates and information will be exchanged between Shah and the state leadership, including office bearers of district- and- block-level teams, Neelkant Bakshi, head of media relations and co-incharge of Delhi BJP’S social media cell, said.

Bakshi said these groups would also facilitate office bearers, volunteers and workers to get direct approval for campaign creative from the national president and help curb ‘fake news’.

“Our efforts are to establish a well coordinated network among party leaders and workers. It is also an attempt to bring them on social media platforms. So far, over 1,800 Whatsapp groups have been created. The number is likely to reach the 2,500-mark,” he said.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari will also be part of all the Whatsapp groups, Bakshi maintained.

In a meeting held last month, Shah interacted with around 450 of Delhi BJP’S social media volunteers and warned them against posting fake news and circulating false messages.