Gujarat government's plan to boost coastal tourism has received a shot in the arm as the Planning Commission has approved Rs 1,200 crore special grant for the project. The Planning Commission gave its nod for the special grant during a high-level meeting between its Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, held on June 1 in Delhi.

International passengers may soon have a smooth sailing as far as customs clearance at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the city is concerned.

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The customs department is all set to modify its procedures and is coming up with several other user-friendly technologies to give passengers a hassle-free clearance at the airport.
To streamline the customs clearance facilities at the airport, the department will set up two scanners. One scanner has already been installed and will begin functioning within a day or two, while the other one will be installed soon.
Once these scanners start functioning, it will considerably reduce the clearance time. For the first time, there will be online scanning of passengers' baggage.
The scanners will be attached to the conveyor or baggage belt and the clearing of the baggage will be shown to the customs official via the electronic board attached to the belt. In case of a suspicious bag, the customs official will put a cross mark on the bag and then physically check it.
The passengers whose bags have been cleared by the scanners will not face any other hassles.

source|Satish Jha/Daily News & Analysis