Delhi Airport to get first-ever air train for easy travel between terminals

According to sources Delhi airport is planning to construct a path travelling between Terminal 3 (T3) and Terminal 1 (T1) at Delhi Airport premises with an upcoming air train or the Automated People Mover (APM).

 Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has issued a tender for building this much-anticipated project, which will include four stops: T2/3, T1, Aerocity, and Cargo City.

This project will be covering a 7.7 km route and will eliminate the need for reliance on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for terminal transfers, as per the noted reports.

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Sources reveal that GMR-backed DIAL will start accepting bids for the project in October-November 2024. The winning bid will need to have all elements like cost-effectiveness, with bidders proposing revenue-sharing models or seeking viability gap funding.

Once all aspects are finalized, the contract will be awarded before the end of the fiscal year. Sources are optimistic that the construction will be completed by the end of 2027. This timeline has also been communicated to the Union Aviation Ministry to ensure that the project stays on track.

For such bidding, the development of an advanced state-of-the-art APM system has been summarised. It will use the design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model when the flight becomes operational.

It will guarantee hassle-free travel and reliable connectivity between T1 and T3/2, which will improve the overall passenger comfort and efficiency of the airport.

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Not only this, this will also significantly contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, thereby helping Delhi Airport improve its Airport Service Quality (ASQ) score.

In previous discussions, the government emphasized that no development fees would be levied on passengers to fund the project before its completion. While the exact cost of the air train is yet to be determined by the bidders, estimates suggest it could be around Rs 2,000 crore. Initially, DIAL had proposed six stops for the air train.

However, the government requested a reduction to four stops to minimize transit time between T1 and T3/2, as more stops would increase both travel time and the need for security at non-terminal stations.

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