At a time when land possession for the ambitious Jewar airport has been initiated, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) initiated its phase-III (A) project titled ‘Airport Expansion’ of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).

With the estimated cost of around Rs 10, 000 crore, DIAL will enhance the capacity to handle up to 140 Million Passenger Per Annum (MPPA) passengers (Airside). 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DIAL  I Prabhakar Rao said “As a 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 are the part of the  phase - III project.

Notably, with this expansion plan, Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport would become the first airport in India to have four runways and dual elevated ECT.

Illustrating the project, DIAL  CEO explained that expansion of T1 Apron , construction of IV runway and Terminal 1 will be the three times bigger to handle double the existing capacity (20 MPPA to 40 MPPA) are the main part of project.

“Terminal III modifications include doubling I-I Transfer Area, addition of 7th check-in island and associated BHS, IT upgrade of complete Baggage Handling System (BHS ) are also the part of project.

“Phase - III (A)expansion will be completed by June 2022,” said CEO Rao when questioned about the deadline set for the project.

 “Keeping in view the unprecedented growth in the number of people travelling by air over the last few years, expansion of Delhi Airport has become the need of the hour to make it future-ready with enhanced passenger experience,” 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,” Rao added.

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

 “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,” Rao  added.

 To make flight operations less technical and more friendly to aviators and passengers, 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 Multiple Aircraft Ramp System (MARS) stands to cater to the increased ATMs, Rao said.

“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,” said DIAL official.

As in expansion plan, DIAL has prepared a plan to integrate arrival and departure both under the single roof at T1, the plan would come up 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,” DIAL’s statement quoted.

Interestingly, giving pitch to artificial intelligence, DIAL in its also plan also added Facial Recognition system.

As per the aviation experts, with such system, passengers need not carry additional identity documents as their face will become their identity.  “The integrated terminal would boast of several passenger-friendly facilities using advanced technologies such as Facial Recognition, Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS),” adding, “Individual Carrier System (ICS), Common Usage Self Service (CUSS), and Self Baggage Drop (SBD) are also the part of project helping avoid long queues and ease the flow of passengers,” said the official.

 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.

To increase the Air Traffic Movements, a fourth runway 11/29 on Southern side with a length of 4400 m would be constructed.  A flyover would be constructed at Aerocity metro station junction to reduce travel time from T1 terminal to T3 terminal.