Delhi airport expansion begins; to have 100 mn visitor capacity, new look

Aug 5, 2019
New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will soon have a completely new look with its Terminal 3 and Terminal two undergoing major reveamp under phase three of the airport’s expansion.

The new capacities that will be added will enable IGIA in the next three years to handle around 100 million passengers a year.

Unveiling the Rs 9,800 crore plan to the media here on Monday, GMR Group’s Deputy Managing Director I.Prabhakara Rao said they envisage enhanced terminal capacity and an air-side capacity to handle around 140 million passengers.

The project under Phase 3A is expected to be ready by June 2022. By August 2020, these facilities
would start getting commissioned, he said.

”The expansion works to make IGI Airport future-refuture-ready has begun in full swing as in the last decade, the Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) and passenger numbers have seen a massive surge exceeding projections,” he said.

The objectives of Phase 3A are to enhance capacity for growth in a timely manner, meet optimal service level requirements and introduce new and improved processes and technologies to maximize efficiency, enhance passenger experience and invigorate the ambience of the terminals, Rao said.

”The mega expansion of Delhi Airport would not only help the existing airlines to enhance their services but also create adequate room for new airlines to initiate their services. With this expansion, Delhi Airport will once again set a new standard for the airport experience. Our vision is to be at the forefront of creating world-class facilities and value-added amenities for our customers and making it one of the best airports across the world. As we rigorously build for the next three years, our focus on efficient operations and superior customer service would remain unwavering,” Rao said.”

L&T has been entrusted with the entire EPC works of Phase 3A, and the works have begun on all the fronts.

As part of the overall development plan under Phase 3A, DIAL would carry out integration of the Departure and Arrival terminals of T1, construction of new T1 Apron, fourth runway, dual elevated Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT), Landside developments for circulation and connectivity improvements and T3 modification works. After the expansion, Delhi Airport would become the first airport in India to have four runways and dual elevated Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT).

In the proposed plan, the entire T1 Apron would be demolished and a new and expanded apron would be constructed to provide higher capacity layout with 82 Code C stands, which includes 22 Contact Stands and 8 MARS stands to cater to the increased ATMs. The new T1 Apron, apart from having an increased number of stands, would be equipped with latest technological upgrades including Visual Docking Guidance System, Fuel Hydrant System, Ground Power Units, Pre-conditioned Air, etc.

The Arrival and Departure terminals would be integrated under a single roof to form the new integrated Terminal 1. It would come with associated enhancements in Baggage Handling and Security Screening systems. The total area of Terminal 1 will increase from the present 64,140 sqm to 192,985 sqm and capacity would go up from 20 MPPA to 40 MPPA.

Besides, the integrated terminal would boast of several passenger-friendly facilities using advanced technologies such as Facial Recognition, Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS), Individual Carrier System (ICS), Common Usage Self Service (CUSS), and Self Baggage Drop (SBD) kiosks among others. These would help avoid long queues and ease the flow of passengers.

The first of its kind dual elevated Cross Taxiways on the Eastern side of airport would be built to connect the Northern airfield with the Southern airfield to improve airfield efficiency which would help in reducing the taxiing time of aircrafts. A fourth runway parallel to runway 11/29 on the Southern side with a length of 4,400 m would be constructed to increase the Air Traffic Movements (ATMs).

The International transfer area of Terminal 3 is set to significantly increase. Also, a 7th check-in island is being added in T3 with associated Baggage Handling Systems and 2 Arrival Carousels.

The IT systems of the entire Baggage Handling System of T3 are being upgraded. With all these enhancements, the passenger throughput of T3 would go up from 34 MPPA to 45 MPPA.

On the Landside, a flyover would be constructed at Aerocity metro station junction to reduce travel time from T1 to T3. The Central Spine Road would be widened from 8 lanes to 12 lanes to cater to the expected increase in traffic. There would be a realignment of a section of the Radisson Road to the tune of 1 km, with an underpass. Additional lanes would be added to Terminal Departure ramp as well as the Arrival Forecourt, along with re-orientation of access roads to improve traffic circulation at T1. A dedicated corridor for cargo movement in and out of the airport, with a flyover close to NH8, would segregate the heavy vehicle movement from passenger vehicles.

The GMR Group led Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is a consortium comprising of GMR Group, Airports Authority of India and Fraport. The consortium has a mandate to finance, design, build, operate and maintain the Delhi Airport for 30 years with an option to extend it by another 30 years.

–India News Stream