Travelling between terminals at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is set to become easier, with the airport operator planning an automated transit system to connect Terminal 1 with Terminals 2 and 3.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) plans to introduce an Automated People Mover (APM) as part of the airport's 2036 Master Plan. DIAL CEO Pradeep Panicker said the intra-airport transport system is expected to be completed by 2030, with the design and other arrangements currently being finalised. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 3,500 crore.
APM To Cut Travel Time Between Terminals
At present, travelling between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 by road takes around 15-20 minutes, and the journey can take longer during traffic congestion or VIP movement.
Once operational, the APM is expected to reduce the travel time between the two terminals to around 13 minutes. The proposed route will stretch 7.3 km, including 5.3 km of elevated track and 2 km underground.
The system will have six stations, including Terminal 1, Terminal 3, the Cargo Area and three stations in Aerocity. Trains are planned to operate at intervals of around 10 minutes.
The Terminal 1, Terminal 3 and Aerocity stations will also be directly linked to the Delhi Metro. The APM service is expected to be free for passengers travelling on connecting flights.
Delhi Airport Capacity To Rise To 125 Million
The APM is part of Delhi Airport's 10-year Master Plan 2036, which aims to raise the airport's annual passenger-handling capacity from 106 million to 125 million.
Under the plan, Terminal 1's capacity will increase from 42 million to 45 million passengers, while Terminal 2 will remain at 14 million. Terminal 3, currently the airport's largest terminal, is expected to see its capacity rise from 50 million to 66 million passengers.
Of T3's planned capacity, 27 million will be for domestic passengers and 39 million for international passengers.
New T3 Pier, More Flights Planned
DIAL also plans to construct a new pier at Terminal 3 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,500 crore. This will take the total number of piers at the terminal to five.
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The airport's daily flight-handling capacity is also expected to increase from around 1,450 flights to 2,100. The number of aircraft parking stands will rise from 230 to 260, alongside planned expansion of check-in counters, security equipment and parking facilities.
What Is An Automated People Mover?
An Automated People Mover (APM) is a driverless, metro-like transit system designed to transport passengers between different locations within large complexes such as airports. At Delhi Airport, the proposed system will provide a dedicated connection between terminals and key airport facilities.