E-passports may soon become a reality

The implementation of e-passports will soon become a reality. The e-passport which would contain an electronic chip and enhanced security features was announced earlier this year.

New Delhi, Nov 17: The implementation of e-passports will soon become a reality. The e-passport which would contain an electronic chip and enhanced security features was announced earlier this year.

This high security passport is likely to be implemented soon as the tender process for the same has already begun.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had in July said that government was in the process of introducing e-passports, which would contain bio-metric details to curb the menace of fake passports.

According to reports, India Security Press (ISP) in Nasik, which prints the passports, has already begun tendering to procure electronic hardware needed for it. The chip in the e-passport holds the same information that is printed on the passport's data page.

India is the third largest passport issuing country after China and US. 93 out of 193 UN member states have issued e-passports to their citizens.

Fake passport has emerged as a major problem in recent times. In 2002, actress Monica Bedi and gangster Abu Salem were arrested by the authorities for using fake passports.

Oneindia News