The Aviation authority will be introducing an Air-train at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to make travel easy. The authorities are, however, yet to decide between two options, which are: a 6km air train with four stations, entirely funded by the travelers, or an 8km route option which will have six stations, and will be partially supported by the passengers. The aviation ministry is keen to develop IGIA as India's first global hub which offers seamless connectivity.
The Air train will make it easier to commute between Terminal 3, 2 (T3, T2) and Terminal 1 (T1) of the IGI Airport. "Depending on the plan approved, the ministry will tell the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to determine the UDF amount for the project," the Times of India cited a source as saying.
The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) had sent a proposal to the civil aviation ministry regarding the automated passenger mover (APM). The proposal, along with other things, includes the suggestion to bridge the viability gap by seeking a 'user development fees' (UDF).
The DIAL was asked to consider the original master plan for the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), according to which, the air train will operate for 6 km with four stations at Terminal 1, Aerocity, cargo terminal and Terminal 3. "With no major revenue stream, the project cost of Rs 3,400 crore will have to be recovered through UDF," TOI cited the source as saying.
However, the Singapore-based consultant hired by DIAL to analyse the options, favoured the 8 km route with six stations. The two additional stations are suggested at Aerocity's hotel and office districts. As these stations offered funding options because of improved footfall and DIAL may be able to recover Rs 2,500 crore of the project cost from it. This will leave about Rs 1,000 crore to be recovered through UDF, the report said.