Mumbai News: From Aug 15, no entry to Mantralaya without Digi Pravesh!

From 15 August, all Maharashtra Mantralaya (Mumbai) visitors will be required to use the Digi Pravesh mobile application or a designated on-site facial verification counter. This will replace paper-based passes in a bid to strengthen security and speed up entry procedures. The system, designed by Secutech Automation, requires Aadhaar-based registration, an online appointment slot, and a QR-code pass that is scanned alongside facial verification at the gate. The application can be downloaded from the Google Playstore or Apple's App Store.

Pilot use at Mantralaya has already shown sharp efficiency gains, reducing average wait times from three hours to three minutes and enabling face ID checks in under 10 seconds. The same protocol will now apply to former MPs, former MLAs, and legislative staff, even if they carry official identity cards.

Additional measures will limit vehicle access to those with prior clearance, with parking for legislators shifted outside the complex. Accompanying visitors and informal authorisations will not be accepted for entry.

To accommodate those without smartphones, a help desk is being setup at the Mantralaya gate, which will capture facial data on-site and issue an entry card. Moreover, senior citizens and differently-abled people will be able to use a dedicated queue, with entry permitted from 12 noon or after 2 PM, depending on need.

State authorities see it as a step toward safer, more traceable visitor management. However, concerns remain over its impact on citizens with limited digital access, despite the recent arrangements. Critics warn that gaps in awareness and digital literacy could still leave many unable to navigate the process. There are also questions about whether on-site registration counters will be sufficient to handle peak footfall without creating new bottlenecks.