The Hindu Business Line : Master plan for Delhi

The process of new world class airports coming up in Delhi and Mumbai has started in right earnest with the Government receiving the master plans for the two metro airports earlier this month.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the new joint venture company set up to undertake the modernising programme in the capital, has proposed an integrated domestic and international terminal during the first phase that is to be completed by March 2010, well before the capital hosts the Commonwealth Games. The airport would also be Code F ready, which means that it would be in a position to receive by 2008 the world's largest aircraft, the Airbus A-380.

The airport will have 55 new contact stands, 20 new remote stands in addition to the existing 64 stands and four new cargo stands. A multilevel car park capable of handling 5,000 cars is also planned.

While the master plan was being worked out and submitted to the Government for final clearance, DIAL started work on aspects of the airport that would provide immediate relief to passengers. Hence, the work is on on what the company calls the five Ts — out with Touts, modernise Toilets, upgrade Trolleys, improve Ticketing, and expand the Taxi-stand.

The domestic airport in Delhi now offers a feeling of more space. In addition, steps have been taken to ensure better lighting and optimal utilisation of the existing space. "The early success targets have been met in the domestic terminal in Delhi and now we will start working on the actual expansion of the airport," DIAL sourcesadded.

The upgrade of the airport was felt as the flow of domestic and international passengers has been increasing steadily. It is estimated that the Delhi airport will handle 16.1 million passengers during 2006, which is expected to touch 20.4 million the following year and rise to 25.6 million by 2009. The airport is expected to cross the 50 million a year passenger mark by 2016-17.

In January, the Government awarded the contract for modernising the airport to a consortium led by the GMR group. GMR has tied up with Fraport, the developers of Frankfurt and Malaysian airports. The Airports Authority of India has a minority stake in the consortium.

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