Bureau of Immigration may take over checking process at Ahmedabad airport

The time taken for immigration checking at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) would be cut down from April-end with the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) taking over the process, a top official of Airports Authority of India said.

"BOI, an off-shoot of central Intelligence Bureau, is slated to take over the immigration process from the state police by April-end. This would cut the time taken for checking the international travellers," a top AAI official told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

"BOI has proposed to depute over 100 personnel for checks at 26-odd immigration counters, which is almost double the strength of the officials deputed currently," he said.

There are 26 counters for immigration checks at SVPIA, 14 for departure and 12 for arrival, but they are functioning at half the strength owing to inadequate police staff (40-60). Around 2,000 to 2,500 international travellers seek immigration checks at the airport.

Recently, a senior official from the Union Home Ministry visited the airport to conduct a need-assessment study and procedural requirements survey for taking over the immigration process.

Immigration services at major international airports in the country is currently handled by BOI.