As per the government’s technology-friendly initiatives, six e-gates are being installed at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet which will make the immigration process faster, said officials.
E-gate activities have started in the country on June 30 this year. With the inauguration of e-gate installation at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on the same day, e-gate activities get a boost.
Osmani International Airport Manager Hafiz Ahmed told Bangladesh Post, “The work of installing e-gate is underway. The organisation in charge to complete the work will hand over the system to the immigration department once it is completed.”
It was learnt that the e-gate is being set up to enhance the service quality of the airport. Flora Limited is installing six e-gates at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.
E-gate machines have already been installed. After completing the rest of the work, the e-gate will be handed over to the immigration department. Three e-gates are being set up at Osmani Airport for departure and three others for arrival.
According to the authorities concerned, those who have e-passport will be able to complete the immigration activities through e-gate. The e-passport has a microprocessor chip and antenna mounted. All the information of a person is printed and chipped in the passport. After scanning the passport at the e-gate, the camera attached to the gate will identify the passenger.
Before immigration police used to conduct the process manually but the e-gate will open automatically after identifying the passenger. The immigration process will be completed in a few moments.
It was also learnt that immigration through e-gate will take less time. Moreover, passengers will not have to face any question from any official. However, if e-gate activities are started at Osmani Airport, general passengers will not get this facility initially. Diplomats with Bangladeshi e-passports, government officials with official e-passports, Commercially Important Persons (CIPs), e-passport holders with the best taxpayer cards, pilots, and crew with e-passports will get this facility.
On July 19, 2016, the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) and Germany Veridos GmbH signed an agreement for electronic passports. The Immigration Department wants to set up 50 e-gates in different ports of the country including airports.