- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 13 Jan 2025 11:02 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Noida International Airport: Jewar Airport, also known as the Noida International Airport will begin passenger services in April, 2025. With just four months away from launch, passengers might have thoughts about the airport’s connectivity to the nearby areas and the modes of transport available. Jewar, where the airport is situated, is around 90 km from IGI Airport in Delhi, 70 km from Connaught Place, 60 km from Noida City Centre and 40 km from Pari Chowk in Greater Noida, the last point on the metro grid. The airport’s feasibility will depend on its first phase footfall, for which the target is 5-6 million passengers in the first year. For this to happen, the next few months will have to be hard work on the ground because there is no public transport to Jewar, barring a handful of private and UP Roadways bus routes.
There are multiple transport projects coming yup - a 72 km rapid rail corridor and a Delhi Metro route connecting with the Airport Express line. However, these are expected to take shape not before 2030 at least. Realising this, NIA recently announced an airport taxi service in collaboration with Mahindra Mobility. Noida, Greater Noida and the Yamuna authorities have also come together to form an SPV to start a city bus service that will provide a steady connection to the airport.
Intercity cabs are an option, but the amount passengers are likely to spend on them from any of the NCR cities could account for almost half of their domestic flight fares. The connectivity challenge also raises questions on the airport’s preparedness to handle international passengers who might prefer Noida over IGI because of its proximity to tourist destinations like Agra and Mathura.
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While the rapid rail and metro links are unlikely before 2030, questions have also cropped up regarding the cost of the all-electric airport taxi service — for which the project concessionaire has tied up with Mahindra. According to the plan, cabs will pick up and drop off passengers from and to the airport. Bookings will be available through a mobile app, website, call centres, and airport kiosks.
The proposed city routes include Jewar to Botanical Garden metro station in Noida, and another linking Noida Sector 35 with the airport via Pari Chowk. Buses are also being planned to Bulandshahr, Sikandrabad, and Khurja. Officials agreed that the bus service was the only immediate transport plan to bridge the gap on their part.
“The service aims at providing a dedicated public transport system for commuters and airport passengers. A network of electric bus routes linking the Jewar airport with more key locations in the region and beyond will be in place very soon,” said Arun Vir Singh, the CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) and Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL), as quoted by a Times of India report.
“We are committed to providing transport services to these regions, but the financial model and timelines are still being worked out,” he added.
Officials said YEIDA had sought permission from UP Roadways and would hire an operator to run the buses once all the approvals are in. The initial fleet will have 175-200 buses in it, equipped with enough space for luggage. A passenger will have to download a mobile application to book a seat on his chosen route — just like in the case of shared cabs.Experts insisted that it is the lack of immediate transport options that could give Delhi airport the edge over Noida — at least for now.
“For so long, the entire focus was on completing the airport itself. Little attention was given to connectivity. If this issue is not addressed at the earliest, passengers will opt for IGI Airport, where travel is far more convenient. People should not be left dependent on cabs. Public transport, such as buses with at least 50 well-connected routes, can significantly ease travel and support middle-class travellers,” said S Velmurugan, chief scientist and head of traffic engineering and safety engineering at Central Road Research Institute, as quoted by the report.
Rishabh Nigam, president of the Yamuna Expressway Entrepreneurs Association, did not rule out an economic impact.
“While Noida airport promises to transform the region, its success depends primarily on fundamental issues like accessibility and supporting infrastructure. These aspects must be prioritised for the airport to truly deliver on its promise,” he added.
Currently, the only connectivity infrastructure that is nearing completion is a 750m elevated road linking the airport with Yamuna Expressway. Though this will ease the final leg of the journey, it offers no solution for passengers travelling from Delhi or other parts of NCR.‘
Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd — a subsidiary of Zurich AG that is building the airport — said in a statement, “YIAPL, UP govt and the Centre are working closely to ensure seamless connectivity to the airport by road and rail. Our goal is to provide convenient and reliable transportation options for all passengers. Additionally, we are working to establish partnerships with trusted operators to provide taxi, bus and shuttle services to and from the airport. We are investing in world-class infrastructure. When the airport opens, we expect a range of mobility services for every budget, including intercity and long-haul buses, shuttles, taxis, and ride-sharing services.”
IGI To Noida International Airport
Delhi’s IGI has multiple transport options — from metro to buses and cabs. Passengers can choose to take the Airport Express Line of Delhi Metro and reach Terminal 3 of IGI in merely 20 minutes from New Delhi railway station. Additionally, buses operated by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and private operators link IGI with various parts of the capital. For short-distance travel, one can opt for auto-rickshaws as well, apart from cab.
