T3 is amazing. So there's a separate domestic departure terminal?

I think delhi airport is gonna be WAY better than bangalore or hyderabad airports, and it'll be way better connected to the city (metro link). Is DMRC building a separate metro station on the airport lands or is it gonna be a more integrated underground sorta thing?

HOLY SHIT has anyone seen the master plan? It has plans for a T4, T5 AND T6! That's insane.

http://www.newdelhiairport.in/page.asp?id=new-terminal-building.asp

And according to the masterplan, T2 will be destroyed and replaced with T4...

Mumbai got ripped off. The Mumbai airport hasn't gotten any better. GMR is the best, as proven by the Hyderabad airport...

T3 is amazing. So there's a separate domestic departure terminal?

Yeah, it will open around June-July this year and will function till T3 comes up in 2010. After that it'll probably be torn down since it's not featured on their 2026 masterplan (http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2214/dial2nu7.jpg).

Is DMRC building a separate metro station on the airport lands or is it gonna be a more integrated underground sorta thing?

It'll be underground.

are they gonna destroy the old crappy terminals?

yes

...

Mumbai got ripped off. The Mumbai airport hasn't gotten any better. GMR is the best, as proven by the Hyderabad airport...

Bombay will always be second to Delhi, despite the massive tax-money we provide the country. It's unfortunate, and it ain't going to change unless we have our OWN government, and not some selfish mo-fos warming up seats at the centre. Good for Delhi tho'...

Bombay will always be second to Delhi, despite the massive tax-money we provide the country. It's unfortunate, and it ain't going to change unless we have our OWN government, and not some selfish mo-fos warming up seats at the centre. Good for Delhi tho'...

partly true. BUT where is the land in Bombay. How you gonna get rid of slums around airport. plus bombay is an island so land is way too expensive for airport which requires massive land. Delhi got tons of land, Bombay dont unless it goes into mainland away from island. for that to happen, trans harbour sealink is a must.

IU: thanks. these 2 vids are one heck of an update. love the way GMR is going all out to please the public with latest updates. that u/c video is incredible. So glad Hyd got GMR to get its airport done. Delhi dont have to really till march '10, airport project is in absolutely safe hands. :)

Nice find Indrajal. That video was posted before but there are other videos which haven't been posted.

Terminal 3
EzZD9CJWOi0

December 2007 update
Xbq16qy8o8g

partly true. BUT where is the land in Bombay. How you gonna get rid of slums around airport. plus bombay is an island so land is way too expensive for airport which requires massive land. Delhi got tons of land, Bombay dont unless it goes into mainland away from island. for that to happen, trans harbour sealink is a must.

WHICH IS WHY THEY SHOULD BUILD THE NAVI MUMBAI AIRPORT NOW!!! There's a decent highway (6 lanes in most places, and in some places, 10 lanes) connecting the city to the mainland to begin with. The T-harbour link is essential for faster connectivity from south Bombay/ east-central Bombay, but cummon.......it's not THE decisive factor for the construction of a new airport on mainland India.

Alright KB335ci, let's get somethings clear regarding why Delhi enjoys better infrastructure than Mumbai. There is absolutely NO proper/concrete/<insert whatever> planning in mumbai regarding the metro rail corridors, sealinks and other infra projects.

For around 3-4 years the MH government and MMRDA pondered and planned about the development of the metro corridors on a PPP model. After 1 line was awarded, they've hinted on backtracking to the DMRC model (while line2 is being tendered out) which has reset the clock for the development of the rest of the 8 corridors. Even now, they haven't issued a formal statement on how they plan to pursue developing the metro. The more they waste time, the worse it is for Mumbaikars.

MSRDC had a good 6-8 years to decide on how to take the sea link from Worli to Nariman Point but they still haven't figured out how they want to do it. First they talk about one long bridge to NP. Then they break it up into 2-3 parts for faster implementation and the next thing you know is that they're planning to NOW do a feasibility of a tunnel when the BWSL is almost complete.

Regarding the airport, Mumbai just doesn't have the land required for expanding the airport like Delhi as Hindustani explained. Whatever expansion is happening right now also depends on HDIL removing encroachments around the airport. Even after that, one should be content that they've jacked the capacity to 40mn pax/annum with limited land (~1950 acres).

I'll agree with all of the above, and I am ALL for Delhi's development, along with the rest of the country. Unfortunate circumstances and governmental failure has more to do with the current infrastructure situation in the city than perhaps the lack of funds. However, one CANNOT deny the obviously large slice of Bombay pie that the national capital (not only) enjoys. Anyway...

but the delhi airport is private....meaning it doesn't take any money from mumbai to build new terminals and stuff....

Joining late to the bandwagon. Just saw all the videos at the http://www.newdelhiairport.in/page.asp?id=media-tvc.asp website.

This surely looks like an Airport of the future. It sure is gonna feature some amazing facalities for passengers & airlines combined. Just can't wait for 2010 to see it opening the doors.
New Delhi deserves an Airport of this scale.

I love the trance piece on the new video. Anyone know who compiled it?

^To those who say nothing's happening at the Mumbai Airport and that it's getting ripped off, I went through Terminals 1B and Terminal 2 (Hall A) twice this winter. The work that has been done in 1B is outstanding, the photos don't nearly do it quite the justice that seeing it first hand does. And there was no chaos in Terminal 2 despite the ongoing construction work either. Yes, there was a longer-than usual line on the way back for entering the Terminal and checking in. After that, it was a breeze. And we didn't have to go four hours early either.

Might this change once actual construction work begins? It's likely. We'll see how well MIAL handles the situation once construction on expansion and renovation of T2 begins. But its not like there's nothing going on in T2 right now-there were plenty of signs indicating where construction was going on, and all the old concessions and restaurants were noticeably gone.

BOM has its own share of problems to deal with other than the red tape and corruption that is ever-present. Considering the monumental task that MIAL has at its hands (which is a greater challenge than DIAL has IMO), I'd say they've done a decent job. Could it go faster? If MIAL had its way it would, for sure, but we know that's not the case.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1241/getimagete1.jpg

Cudn't clip the description. On left side is terminal & right side is multi storey parking

Arriving soon: Trendy terminal at IGI



4,000 Sq M To Be Added, But Traffic Issue Stays

New Delhi: Passengers arriving in Delhi after May will enter the city through a new and much more swanky arrival terminal. The terminal is being increased by about 4,000 square metres, covering the existing VIP gate area on one side and most of the area near Udaan Bhawan on the other.
Work on the terminal should be completed within the coming two or three months. However, if the present traffic congestion in front of the domestic terminals is not sorted out, the effect of the new entry zone may well be shortlived.
The new terminal will have an upper screen, balanced on huge pillars, at the entrance. Apart from supporting the roof, the pillars will also be used for lighting. Right in front will be the multilevel parking that will accommodate about 3,000 vehicles. That, however, will be ready only by January 2009.
Part of the VIP parking will be located right next to the arrival, towards Udaan Bhawan. ‘‘That is still in the planning stage. With the VIP gate having been shifted to terminal 1A, most of the VIP parking will be shifted there but some of it will remain where it is,’’ said a Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) official.
The renovated terminal will have shops in an area of 2,000 square metres as against the present area of 300 square metres. Accordingly, space for airline offices will be reduced by more than half. Collecting baggage will also become easier since there will be eight conveyor belts as opposed to the five at present.
However, DIAL’s current plans to regulate traffic flow due to the ongoing work have only
made the situation worse at the domestic terminal.
A new entry road for traffic moving towards the arrival terminal, leading off the road going towards terminal 1A, was opened a few weeks earlier so that congestion could be eased on the main road turning into the airport. However, despite several signages, very few vehicles actually use the new road.
The traffic has now taken to stopping on the narrow entry road for terminal 1B, causing a huge bottle neck at the entrance. A speed breaker at the very point where cars now stop also adds to the chaos.
The situation is made worse by arriving passengers crossing the road at the same spot in order to go to the parking. With the road meant for the arrival practically unused, passengers have to walk across the taxi lane and the arrival lane to reach parked vehicles. ‘‘We have put up signs but other than that, there is nothing much we can do,’’ said a DIAL official

another image from TOI
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=CAP/2008/03/21/3/Img/Pc0031300.jpg

looks really neat!

The Delhi Airport videos are a great update, was waiting for something like that to appear.

that must be designed by hafeez... that is his typical column design where there is a concrete/ metal column half way and they it kinda spider webs all the way up..
he did it at so many places... but this one looks better with lights and all..

Finally, a good departure section. India probably needs a large departure zone for the arriving families and friends. The large retinue causes major traffic chaos. I still think a covered parking lot would serve much better for such traffic issues. People can park their cars in the parking lot and directly go into the departure building via conveyor belts/walkways. Thereby the friends/family can say their goodbyes and wave of their near and dear ones without causing human traffic jams at the main departure entrance. Departure entrance drop of should be regulated and cars not allowed to linger longer than drop of time.

Outside T3
Copyright Janus Bifrons
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4131/2353106984bb653588a0bob8.jpg

Qualitative opinions and judgements should best be avoided in threads and taken to Chaibar in the event of the need for a larger discussion on the issue(s). Let us focus on developments:)

alright guys... lets give rest to Bom vs Del fight. both the cities have their plus points and their share of negatives. may be one is better than other.. who cares anyways..

honestly.. i dont like either one of them...but i am not gonna bitch about it..

this is not us... i never heard this kind of discussion about indian cities.. specially delhi and bombay...
lets not make it yank-cajun, punjabi-baluchi type of issue..

lets discuss delhi airport... anybody got the new airport construction pics ?...

i have deleted all post that are off topic,specially Bom vs Del. I see that kind of off topic discussions again and the posts goes.pure and simple

Courtesy p_saggu at BRF

Superimposed 2010 plan of DIAL on Google Earth

Click here to view on Google Earth (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=1133542)
Screenshot:
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/2600/dialgoogleearth1gf1.jpg




Superimposed masterplan (to be implemented by 2026)

Click here to view on Google Earth (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=1133545)
Screenshot:
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3226/dialgoogleearth2fz4.jpg

This is a great effort and gives a nice understanding of how the overall plan fits in context to its surroundings.

Ignoring the occasional unnecessary and unpleasant arguments that erupts here, you guys on this forum are simply great! Initially I'd problem in following the proposed layout of the new development in context to the existing structures. But after I discovered this forum, things became quite clear.
Courtesy p_saggu at BRF

Superimposed 2010 plan of DIAL on Google Earth

Click here to view on Google Earth (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=1133542)
Screenshot:





Superimposed masterplan (to be implemented by 2026)

Click here to view on Google Earth (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=1133545)
Screenshot:

Found this small rendering of the Delhi Airport

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9227/delhino2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ That's not a rendering of what's being built right now. It could be another design that lost out to HOK's design in the design competition that was held in 2006.

^^ That's not a rendering of what's being built right now. It could be another design that lost out to HOK's design in the design competition that was held in 2006.

the final design pic has already been posted in the forum .

Cops in fix over speed limit at IGI
Source: ET (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Delhi/Cops_in_fix_over_speed_limit_at_IGI/articleshow/2924581.cms)
This might just come as good news for those intent upon making mischief on the airside of Delhi’s IGI airport. The speed laws in place here, restricting speed of vehicles to 15 km/hr, will ensure that no police, CISF or custom vehicle can reach any spot in a hurry.

According to sources, the only vehicles allowed to speed on the airside are the fire engines and those of the quick reaction teams (QRT) of the CISF. However, the QRT has very few jeeps at its disposal. At present, none of the seven or eight police vehicles and one of five customs vehicles have the licence to ply at the airside since they are not fitted with speed governors.

The decision to restrict speed to 15 kmph was taken by the civil aviation ministry after an airline employee was killed in an accident on a taxiway in October last year. With the number of vehicles having gone up manifold due to an increase in operations, authorities put in a number of regulations to decrease danger of accidents on the airside. Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) has not renewed licences of about 175 vehicles and challaned about 500 vehicles since January this year. But at least three major accidents have still taken place despite that.

‘‘There are very few vehicles that actually stick to all the rules. Several drivers have tampered with their speed governors since most of these vehicles also have to ply outside the airport and that would be impossible at a speed of 15 km/hr,’’ said an airline official.

However, government agencies like police and customs, argue officials, need to be exempt from this rule. ‘‘Our work normally involves quick reactions. Should we expect a culprit to wait for us while we slowly drive to the spot?’’ asked a senior customs official. The department has five vehicles, one of which has already lost its licence since it does not have a speed governor. Officials say by April, licences of other four will also expire and they too do not have speed governors.

The police department at present has no vehicle that is permitted to ply on the airside. ‘‘We have taken up the matter with authorities but so far nothing has happened on the issue. We have some seven or eight vehicles authorised to ply inside but none can go in at present. According to rules, in case of an emergency we first need to inform CISF who will in turn take permission from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. By which time we presume nothing will be left of both the culprit or spot,’’ said a senior police official.

Looks like the DIAL 'doctors' are fixing the wrong stuff here :nuts:

thats it?? no more updates ??? i expected DIAL to b the next big thing after Hyd & bang airports are done with .BUt i see no life over here:bash:

the final design pic has already been posted in the forum .

yeah I know

thats it?? no more updates ??? i expected DIAL to b the next big thing after Hyd & bang airports are done with .BUt i see no life over here:bash:

here -

Number of check-in & immigration counters to go up by June (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Number_of_immigration_counters_at_Delhi_Airport_to_go_up/articleshow/2953196.cms)

NEW DELHI: The number of check-in and immigration counters at the Delhi Airport will be increased to deal with the rush of passengers.

While the security check gates have been increased from eight to 14, the number of immigration counters on the departure side is being enhanced from 28 to 52 and that on the arrival side will go up to 48 from the present 28, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

The number of check-in counters would be increased from 78 to 100 by June this year, he said. Hand-baggage X-ray machines at the international terminal have been increased from eight to 12, which would further go up to 16 by June, 2008, Patel said.

Patel also informed that among the steps taken to avoid long queues due to the ongoing upgradation work at the airport are relocating airline offices outside the International Terminal building and putting up new flight information display boards.


Cookie Man to set up store at Delhi airport (http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=919&sid=1)

Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) has tied up with Australian brand, Cookie Man to set-up a store in the check-in area of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), recently.

The store will have fifty varieties of cookies. The flavours include choc chip, coffee walnut, brandy snap, honey and oats, coconut macaroon, shortbread, peanut, ginger and others.

Cookie Man is the latest in the series of food and beverage outlets at IGIA which DIAL has introduced over the last eighteen months. Recently, a specialty coffee shop Buno & Kaffa opened in Terminal 1B. Prior to that fast food chain McDonalds set up shop in Terminal 1A along with Nirula's in Terminal 1B. Yo-China, Hogg Dogg and Baskin Robbins Ice Creams also set up shop recently.

These outlets are part of DIAL’s strategy to provide passengers with a wide variety of food and beverage options at IGI Airport. DIAL is also planning on opening several new F&B outlets in the near future.

pics of T3 taken on Apr 3 -

Copyright tamankuap
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/4835/37294260sk6.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2711/12841510px5.jpg

Anyone here have any aerial pics of the current construction status of T3 and surrounding areas? Google earth doesn't show anything yet.

Well, I went to the Airport recently and saw the work on the extended Arrival and Interim deep terminal and I bet my right eye that GMR will not meet the deadline of June 08 for their completion.

The departure terminal is still a structure and nothing more as of now , I see GMR getting some serious stick over the next few months from the Govt.

We shall have to wait and see until June...perhaps GMR may pull some surprises who knows.

I certainly hope so

Well, I went to the Airport recently and saw the work on the extended Arrival and Interim deep terminal and I bet my right eye that GMR will not meet the deadline of June 08 for their completion.

The departure terminal is still a structure and nothing more as of now , I see GMR getting some serious stick over the next few months from the Govt.

Did you manage to get any pics of the construction?

I have the pics but the software is not functioning properly , I will surely get it sorted in 4-5 days after which I will upload the pictures.

I have the pics but the software is not functioning properly , I will surely get it sorted in 4-5 days after which I will upload the pictures.

It's not necessary to use the camera software to upload images. Just plug the usb cable into the usb socket and turn on the camera. Then go to my computer and access the images in the removable disk that shows up.

_________

here are some images from inside the international terminal-

copyright Doubting Augustinus
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7676/243289365526db89cd6ebpm2.jpg

copyright markhillary
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6425/2428715188b8bd89b275bnp0.jpg


pillars for the canopy of the new arrival terminal can be seen in this image-

Copyright peeyush
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/811/242198429160655e6527bvx1.jpg

^ Renderings of it can be found on page 26

The domestic terminal u/c

photo copyright Edgar

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2930/delhiterminal1edgarxg6.jpg

Delhi Airport sets up Airport Operations & Command Centre
http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?aid=2726&sid=36&sname=Top%20Stories
Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) set up a state-of-the-art Airport Operation Command Centre (AOCC) in the old ATC tower at the domestic terminal recently. The AOCC has been set up to streamline airport operations and maximise efficiency of available resources. It is a high-technology asset, which will monitor and co-ordinate operations within the terminal, air-side, cargo and other support functions of the airport. Operational 24×7, AOCC has a team of five to seven personnel manning it and will also be the first line of action during aircraft emergencies or low visibility procedures and weather warnings. It will coordinate with the ATC and ground airside operations for smooth handling of such situations. DIAL is also in the process of establishing a state-of-the-art Digital Trunk Radio System for communication between its various units and groups.

AOCC will benefit passengers greatly, as it will lead to quicker processing for them in terminals and faster aircraft turnaround, thereby reducing delays. It is being fed with real-time data from the ATC Tower, Passenger Terminals, Airlines, Ground Handling team, Cargo Terminals, Fire and Rescue Station and Maintenance facilities amongst others. This allows it to map these resources onto a single database known as the Airport Operational Database (AODB), a product of UFIS-AS, which is a fully scaleable high performance database, storing all information related to flight movements, aircraft details and airport related resources. It will provide the most recent data to the Flight Information Display System screens deployed on the terminals for passengers. Siemens is the partner for implementation of AODB and the information provided by it is available for the AOCC users through the UFIS software screens.


A large number of video cameras have also been installed, which will be used to monitor various activities of airside and also to monitor the occupancy of aircraft parking stands. AOCC monitors a flight from the moment it touches down and will also be responsible for allocation of resources such as parking bay / aerobridge, check-in counter and baggage belts, and also control the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) for the passenger. The inputs are derived from airlines network and are interfaced with Flight Information Display System to provide updated and accurate FIDS display for all the stakeholders to allocate resources using this software. In the near future DIAL plans to interface AODB system with ATC to obtain faster information, which will further speed up the decision process. The software/AODB interface also enhances Airport safety by providing early warning information about airport resource related conflicts and challenges arising out of dynamic airport requirements especially during peak times.

CAT3 Approach Lighting system at Delhi Airport

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1202/745607077_7fef5fec04.jpg

Airport Expressway NH8
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1288/1381344038_a94ed14ba9.jpg

I don't know if it's the quality of this night shot or the actual, but whenever I land at Delhi coming from other 'developed countries' airports, I can't fail but notice the dark and unglamorous appearances even before coming up to the air bridge :ohno:. And it looks even more so and additionally, dysfunctional, and ill organized once you enter the terminal building.

It's been almost a year since I last landed at DEL, but is it still looking the same, or has there been any changes for better; negative ones I've heard a lot about? I sincerely hope like all others that India will soon have airports that can compete with the best airports in the world and make a name for them.

CAT3 Approach Lighting system at Delhi Airport

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1202/745607077_7fef5fec04.jpg

Airport Expressway NH8
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1288/1381344038_a94ed14ba9.jpg

The expressway looks nice! How long is it. Do you have more aerial photos of the approach areas to IGI?

Third IGI runway to become functional by 2008: DIAL (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Third_IGI_runway_to_become_functional_by_2008_DIAL/articleshow/3005644.cms)

Around 90 per cent of the work on the third runway at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here has been completed and it will be commissioned this year.

"Work is progressing fast on the third runway and associated taxiways. More than 90 per cent work is complete and the runway will be commissioned this year," a statement from DIAL, which completes second year of its airport operations, said.

The 4,430 metres runway will be one of the longest in Asia and feature CAT IIIB Instrument Landing System at both ends. This will allow landings in visibility as low as 50 metres, it said, adding the 60-metre wide, Code F runway will also cater to new generation large aircrafts such as the Airbus A380.

A beauty At DIAL

copyright sameera jayasoma @ flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/1357760354_e449050357.jpg

Here's the revised schedule of DIAL from TOI. zenith_suv was right about the delay in the commencement of operations at the interim terminal (T1B). Instead of June 08, it'll now open at the end of the year.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1913/dialan5.jpg


______

In-line baggage trial starts at IGI

New Delhi: The much awaited in-line baggage check system, which will do away with the cumbersome process of manual check-in, was finally put on trial run at the international terminal of the IGI on Thursday. At present only one channel has been put in operation and by June end, all six should be operational.

According to Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL), the system is new and it will take a while for the check-in system to be fully operational. ‘‘Line no 3 is where we have started trial run and hope to bring in the other five under the system soon. Till then, the in-line system will function along with manual check-in,’’ said a DIAL official.

The system was to be implemented by July but seeing the chaos at the international terminal a few months back, the ministry instructed DIAL to introduce the system in advance to make the checking-in procedure faster. GMR group is getting trained personnel from Hyderabad to help in the working of the machines that will be set up. Of the remaining five machines, three will be commissioned in May and two in June.

[TOI]

LONG WAY AHEAD
World-class airport in two yrs, says DIAL
However, Work On Terminals May Be Delayed
Neha Lalchandani | TNN

New Delhi: From leaking roofs, flooded areas, cramped spaces to serpentine queues and disgruntled passengers, the IGI Airport has seen it all. It has even been rated among the world’s worst five airports. But the scene is changing steadily here, and by 2010-end, the developer, Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL), has promised a world-class facility.


Since it was privatised two years back, the airport’s ride to modernisation has been far from smooth. When DIAL took over the reigns from Airports Authority of India (AAI), the IGI had a capacity of 12.5 million passengers per annum for an actual traffic of 16.6 million. In these two years, while the capacity has remained the same, traffic has gone up to 25 million. By next year, Delhi will probably surpass even Mumbai in terms of total passenger movement to become the busiest airport in the country.


DIAL officials maintained that working in a functional space has been difficult. ‘‘We have had to face the challenge of trying to improve a space that is fully functional. We have had problems. but we are trying to deal with them in the best possible way,’’ said a senior official.


To their credit, the new runway, which should take care of the air congestion problem and increase flight movement per hour, is going to be commissioned a year ahead of schedule, in July. The new integrated terminal is also on track.


The airport even got an ISO 9001:2000 certification last year. However, delays can be expected in the renovation of the existing terminals.


Civil Aviation joint secretary K N Srivastava said: ‘‘The work on the existing terminals should have been complete by April, but work will stretch till June-July now. This decision was taken after the ministry carried out an inspection of the airport and saw that the management had taken on too much work at one go, probably to finish it off faster. This was causing massive problems for passengers. Now DIAL has been asked to take up smaller portions for work. We will wait till June to see how well DIAL is able to manage.’’


To declutter the international terminal, the ministry had asked DIAL to look at the Haj terminal for shifting a few airlines. Sources said studies into the refurbishment of the terminal would take the management about three months, but the proposal was with the ministry. Airlines too have not been very happy, as their space was reduced drastically during the renovation. ‘‘In the bigger picture, smaller details were completely forgotten like space for airlines to carry out their duties,’’ said an airline official.


Air India officials were particularly upset. ‘‘Many of our delays were caused because we were not able to check in passengers on time. There are long queues for security and emigration,’’ said a senior official.


‘‘The first fog was a disaster. It was apparent that DIAL learnt from its mistakes and did a much better job this winter. However, the international terminal is still a mess,’’ said Vinod Bakshi, a frequent traveler.

I don't know if this was posted here. But it seems like NCR will get second airport at Jewar near Greater Noida. Can anyone dig up more info on this ?

http://airliners1.wordpress.com/2008/04/26/greater-noida-greenfield-airport-to-finally-see-light-of-the-day/

Greater Noida greenfield airport to finally see light of the day
April 26th 2008


Posted by airliners1 in Aviation, India, News, airline, transportation.
trackback

With the Union Cabinet giving its nod for a case-by-case approval of greenfield airport projects within 150 km of existing ones, decks for the 5,000-crore greenfield Taj International Aviation Hub (TIAH) in Jewar, near Greater Noida, seem to have cleared.

The biggest hurdle confronting TIAH, one of the most ambitious project of chief minister Mayawati, was that it was within 70 kms of the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The TIAH expects to handle around 3.9 million passengers annually by 2011-12, or roughly one-fifth of the current traffic at the New Delhi airport, according to estimates by the state government. The proposal also seeks to derive a significant share of revenues through shopping malls, hotels, a cargo hub, an aviation academy and residential complexes as part of the airport project.

Ok similar or rather same news from Financial Express,

Greater Noida greenfield airport to finally see light of the day (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Greater-Noida-greenfield-airport-to-finally-see-light-of-the-day/301733/)


Deepa Jainani
Posted online: Saturday , April 26, 2008 at 2359 hrs IST

With the Union Cabinet giving its nod for a case-by-case approval of greenfield airport projects within 150 km of existing ones, decks for the 5,000-crore greenfield Taj International Aviation Hub (TIAH) in Jewar, near Greater Noida, seem to have cleared.

The biggest hurdle confronting TIAH, one of the most ambitious project of chief minister Mayawati, was that it was within 70 kms of the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Removing the hurdle, the new greenfield airport policy, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Thursday, has included a provision of examining the proposals for setting up greenfield airports within 150 km of an existing civilian airport, on a case-by-case basis.

Speaking to FE, Shailesh Krishna, principal secretary, civil aviation, UP government, said, “We are now sure that the project will get a green signal as a specific case.” Stating that there was no need for a fresh proposal to be sent to the centre in this regard, he said the government would submit a new proposal only if the need arises.

However, the justification of the state government for seeking clearance for the project would remain the same. “Delhi airport is already congested with virtually no possibility of any extension,” he said, adding that an Airports Authority of India study has stated that by 2015-16, estimated air traffic at the IGI Airport will hit the 108 million mark, which by any standard, would lead to severe air congestion. “To offset this, a second airport in the form of TIAH is the answer to this problem.”

The TIAH expects to handle around 3.9 million passengers annually by 2011-12, or roughly one-fifth of the current traffic at the New Delhi airport, according to estimates by the state government. The proposal also seeks to derive a significant share of revenues through shopping malls, hotels, a cargo hub, an aviation academy and residential complexes as part of the airport project. The plan for Jewar airport - first conceptualised in 2001 by the then Mayawati government - requires acquisition of 1,500 hectares of land.

Going by the new aviation policy, the proposal to set up new Greenfield airports within 150 km of the existing ones would first be considered by a Steering Committee, that would take into account all relevant facts and contractual liabilities. The committee would then submit its recommendations to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which would decide whether to grant approval to it or not. The Director General Civil Aviation would consider the proposal for grant of license only after the ministry's approval.


According to a senior officer in the state industries department, the state government in its earlier communication to the Center, has already conveyed the government's willingness to accept and abide by all the contractual agreements that may have been entered into by the Centre with the GMR group, promoters of Indira Gandhi International Airport.

“By doing so, the government has already ensured its responsibility in suitably preparing the bidding documents for the selection of the developer for the TIAH, so as to bind the developer to accept and abide by the contractual agreements of the GOI, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Promoters of Indira Gandhi International Airport”, claimed the official.

The TIAH project had been given a techno-feasibility approval way back in 2003. However, the Delhi airport was privatised last year and a Rs 8,900-crore modernisation plan is underway.

DIAL invites bids to develop general aviation facilities (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/DIAL_invites_bids_to_develop_general_aviation_facilities/articleshow/3009242.cms)

With the opening up of the airport infrastructure sector to FDI, the GMR-led Delhi International Airport Limited has invited EoI from global firms to fund, construct and operate facilities for general aviation and non-scheduled operations at the IGI Airport here.

The Expressions of Interest (EoIs), which can be filed till May 30, have been issued to Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) for restructuring and setting up India's first dedicated General Aviation facility.

The selected FBOs would finance, design, develop, construct, operate, manage and maintain the dedicated General and Business Aviation facilities at airport, including terminal side facilities, airside facilities and maintenance services, a DIAL advertisement said.

Wrong plane on runway, close shave at IGI airport



New Delhi: A major disaster was averted at IGI airport early on Monday. Exasperated by a long wait for takeoff, a pilot of an international airline didn’t wait for ATC clearance to take his aircraft to the main runway even as another flight was about to land.

Alert ATC officials quickly spotted the intruding aircraft of the European carrier and asked it to leave the runway immediately so that a SpiceJet flight could land. Luckily for passengers on board these flights, the aircraft exited in the nick of time and a collision was averted, sources said.

The incident occurred
around 1.30am when strong winds were blowing and visibility was affected on the stormy night. Bad weather led to massive congestion at IGI on Monday night as well.

The censure apparently didn’t go down well with the offending pilot. The pilot of another flight who was on the common radio frequency heard the commander of the European carrier complaining. ‘‘While taking off, the international airliner’s pilot told ATC that the SpiceJet plane’s wing tip was still on the runway when he was cleared to roll out and that he would report a near-miss on reaching his destination,’’ he said. At IGI Airport, waiting time for landing, take-off is one hr
New Delhi: Monday’s incident at IGI airport where a collision was narrowly averted by alert ATC officials highlights the congestion problem at the Delhi and Mumbai airports. It can take anywhere up to an hour before a plane can land or take off.

‘‘Delhi will get its third runway by August this year, but what will happen to Mumbai which won’t get another airport for at least next five years? The existing airport is already choked and waiting for 1.5 hours either in air or ground during peak hours is a routine feature,’’ said a worried pilot.

On Monday night in Delhi, planes took a long time to take off or land because of weather conditions. Some flights managed to land if wind movement was not very strong at the time of approach, others were forced to circle on air till conditions improved.

Since there could be no flight movement for a while and only one runway was in use, several flights were delayed by up to an hour. Six flights were diverted to Lucknow and Jaipur as they were running low on fuel after hovering in air for long.

LONG WAY AHEAD
World-class airport in two yrs, says DIAL
However, Work On Terminals May Be Delayed
Neha Lalchandani | TNN

New Delhi: From leaking roofs, flooded areas, cramped spaces to serpentine queues and disgruntled passengers, the IGI Airport has seen it all. It has even been rated among the world’s worst five airports. But the scene is changing steadily here, and by 2010-end, the developer, Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL), has promised a world-class facility.


Since it was privatised two years back, the airport’s ride to modernisation has been far from smooth. When DIAL took over the reigns from Airports Authority of India (AAI), the IGI had a capacity of 12.5 million passengers per annum for an actual traffic of 16.6 million. In these two years, while the capacity has remained the same, traffic has gone up to 25 million. By next year, Delhi will probably surpass even Mumbai in terms of total passenger movement to become the busiest airport in the country.


DIAL officials maintained that working in a functional space has been difficult. ‘‘We have had to face the challenge of trying to improve a space that is fully functional. We have had problems. but we are trying to deal with them in the best possible way,’’ said a senior official.


To their credit, the new runway, which should take care of the air congestion problem and increase flight movement per hour, is going to be commissioned a year ahead of schedule, in July. The new integrated terminal is also on track.


The airport even got an ISO 9001:2000 certification last year. However, delays can be expected in the renovation of the existing terminals.


Civil Aviation joint secretary K N Srivastava said: ‘‘The work on the existing terminals should have been complete by April, but work will stretch till June-July now. This decision was taken after the ministry carried out an inspection of the airport and saw that the management had taken on too much work at one go, probably to finish it off faster. This was causing massive problems for passengers. Now DIAL has been asked to take up smaller portions for work. We will wait till June to see how well DIAL is able to manage.’’


To declutter the international terminal, the ministry had asked DIAL to look at the Haj terminal for shifting a few airlines. Sources said studies into the refurbishment of the terminal would take the management about three months, but the proposal was with the ministry. Airlines too have not been very happy, as their space was reduced drastically during the renovation. ‘‘In the bigger picture, smaller details were completely forgotten like space for airlines to carry out their duties,’’ said an airline official.


Air India officials were particularly upset. ‘‘Many of our delays were caused because we were not able to check in passengers on time. There are long queues for security and emigration,’’ said a senior official.


‘‘The first fog was a disaster. It was apparent that DIAL learnt from its mistakes and did a much better job this winter. However, the international terminal is still a mess,’’ said Vinod Bakshi, a frequent traveler.
i never thought abt it, It is so difficult to upgrade an airport which is already handling many more people than it should. it would be a completely different scenario if they closed delhi airport for few years and then carried out the work. so challenging and frustrating to execute the job.

Good thing for them being that major construction activity such as T# o the third runaway or interim Departure terminal do not interfere with functional areas.

The major problem area is expanding space on Terminal 1B which is a wholesome mess , I for the life of me cannot understand why a couple of Airlines such as Spicejet and Simplify Deccan cannot be moved to 1A which hosts only Indian and Kingfisher as of now.

DIAL asked to explain mess at IGI airport
Source: ToI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/DIAL_asked_to_explain_IGI_airport_mess/articleshow/3026203.cms)
The Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd will now have to explain to the Planning Commission why the situation at IGI continues to be so bad two years after the place was privatised.

Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia will hold a review meeting on Monday with DIAL and aviation ministry officials to see why congestion still remains such a big problem at the airport.

Ahluwalia recently went to the airport to see someone off. He was greeted with the routine scenes of terrible traffic jams and passengers having to queue up just to enter the terminal.

After witnessing the mess first hand, he decided it was time to take stock of this prestigious public-private partnership project, which had been wholeheartedly backed by the Planning Commission.

GMR-led DIAL is likely to showcase its new integrated airport that will come up in 2010 and an interim domestic terminal and new runway which will be commissioned in a few months.

But the Planning Commission is likely to ask a trickier question - how do DIAL and the aviation ministry plan to handle the situation till then?

A spokesperson of DIAL, the GMR-led consortium that is developing the airport, said: "DIAL will be apprising the Planning Commission on the progress on IGI upgradation. It will also share its plan to build a new runway and terminals and the support required from various stakeholder to complete the project in time."

GMR Group's airport division chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi will make the presentation. Senior aviation ministry officials will also be at the meeting.

While the new integrated airport will be ready by 2010, the real worry is how international traffic will be managed from the current place till then. Because of its twin-level structure with departures (and aerobridges) on first floor, there is no possibility of adding more bridges. The only hope is the nearby Haj terminal that is now being renovated.

But with Haj season going to begin early this year (in October), authorities are unsure whether to start using the Haj terminal for other flights before that or early next year. The trouble for passengers begins from the moment they try to approach the terminal because of massive traffic jams.

After that, passengers spend close to two hours to complete check-in formalities, having to wait ages first for baggage X-ray, then immigration and finally security. To make matters worse, there is often no drinking water, the roofs keep leaking and baggage belts break down frequently.

I don't think the passengers have a choice other than to wait and struggle for at least the next 6 months and until such time the Arrival terminal will be significantly expanded and 3 more converyer belts would be added and a new departure terminal in u\c which would ease traffic and passenger congestion greatly.

Also the new Code F runaway is functional in the next month or 2 which would make circling in the air much less in terms of passenger time and jet fuel saved .

Till then people , have patience and live with the Chaos that is IGI airport , New Delhi.........

DIAL asked to explain mess at IGI airport
Source: ToI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/DIAL_asked_to_explain_IGI_airport_mess/articleshow/3026203.cms)

LOLOL you have to be kidding me. 60 years of pure shit management by the AAI, then just 2 years into DIAL's control the government has the nerve to ask them to "explain the mess"? I think DIAL should be asking the government that question...

IGI is going to be India's best airport in two decades, hands down. Just look at their masterplan...

LOLOL you have to be kidding me. 60 years of pure shit management by the AAI, then just 2 years into DIAL's control the government has the nerve to ask them to "explain the mess".

:lol:! Well said!

Agreed. The drama above is not becoming of the gentleman from the planning commission of India. One would hope that people in such positions would talk about plans and their implementation, not get disdainful about relatives and their inconveniences. Talking about inconveniences, how come they did not realize the cesspool that Indian Civil aviation was for such a long time. Or how about the complete shoddiness in Railways, or other infrastructure like roads (even in Delhi where they live). DIAL is trying to fix major infrastructure boo boos committed decades in neglect. Why the surprise now. Weren’t these self evident for such a long time. Now, the nation is undergoing radical change, discomfort during this period is bound to happen, patience for the better infrastructure is what is needed. No sermons, no blame game. Instead of wondering about traffic jams, how about a plan to address the city wide bottlenecks in a sane manner.

Sometimes it is laughable what these politicians and babus of India are up to - nothing good mere rhetoric. India needs insane development for the next two decades to correct the gross neglect.

ThyssenKrupp Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walks to be Installed in Indian Airports - azobuild.com

ThyssenKrupp Elevator has won an order to supply 267 passenger transportation systems for Indira Gandhi International Airport in the Indian capital Delhi, strengthening the company’s position in one of Asia’s largest growth markets. 69 elevators, 37 escalators, 98 moving walks and 63 passenger boarding bridges from ThyssenKrupp Elevator will be installed in the new Terminal 3 building. A monitoring system for most of the installations will ensure smooth operations. A five-year maintenance contract for these systems has also been signed.
Named after the former prime minister Indira Gandhi, the country’s second-largest airport is a hub for international air traffic. It handles around 20 million passengers a year with over 200,000 arrivals and departures. The new Terminal 3 is designed for 27 million passengers per year and covers an area of 4.4 million square meters. It is scheduled to open in mid-2010.

Posted 12th May 2008

ThyssenKrupp Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walks to be Installed in Indian Airports - azobuild.com

ThyssenKrupp Elevator has won an order to supply 267 passenger transportation systems for Indira Gandhi International Airport in the Indian capital Delhi, strengthening the company’s position in one of Asia’s largest growth markets. 69 elevators, 37 escalators, 98 moving walks and 63 passenger boarding bridges from ThyssenKrupp Elevator will be installed in the new Terminal 3 building. A monitoring system for most of the installations will ensure smooth operations. A five-year maintenance contract for these systems has also been signed.
Named after the former prime minister Indira Gandhi, the country’s second-largest airport is a hub for international air traffic. It handles around 20 million passengers a year with over 200,000 arrivals and departures. The new Terminal 3 is designed for 27 million passengers per year and covers an area of 4.4 million square meters. It is scheduled to open in mid-2010.

Posted 12th May 2008


Good to know that moving walkways are making their maiden entry into India. All the other airports should follow suit.

Congestion at IGI Airport likely to ease by June end

New Delhi, May 12: Congestion at the IGI Airport here is likely to ease by June end with new infrastructure, including a terminal and parking places, coming up by then.

They informed us about the steps being taken to ease congestion. ... There is a difference between expanding an existing airport and building a greenfield one. At the existing airports, various systems in place are disrupted due to the expansion work. That is what is happening here," Ahluwalia told reporters after the hour-long meeting in which DIAL made a presentation on the works being carried out. Ahluwalia said government would have to look into two areas -- the staffing of security as well as of immigration.

He said "by June-end, there should be significant improvement and in the next six months, more steps will be taken. So, before the winter this year, the problem of congestion is likely to end."

DIAL Managing Director Kiran Kumar Grandhi said, "We need manpower support for security and immigration as we are handling 24 million passengers (annually) compared with a capacity of 12 million."

Tents to greet you at Delhi's modern airport
Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Tents_to_greet_you_at_Delhis_modern_airport/articleshow/3034804.cms)
The next time you visit the Delhi airport, look for tent-like structures to locate your check in or immigration counters rather than the state-of-the-art terminal building that was promised.

Two years after it handed over Delhi airport to the GMR-led consortium with a lot of pomp, the government has finally veered round to the view that the prescription has been worse than the disease. Members of the Prime Minister's Infrastructure Committee termed the Delhi airport management plan "a total failure" on Monday and suggested a series of damage-control measures.

In contrast to the grand vision of a world-class terminal beckoning passengers, the GMR-managed Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has been asked to set up temporary 'tent-like' structures to enhance check-in and immigration facilities.

A staunch supporter of the corporatisation process, Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia was at the forefront of the 'review' , which found the new airport manager not measuring up to expectations on many counts.

Despite the frequent complaints about serpentine queues, delays and missed flights, the reviews till date handled by the civil aviation ministry haven't been as critical as the panel's.

Mr Ahluwalia asked DIAL to upgrade amenities by June so that the overall passenger experience is improved. The meeting was attended by representatives of DIAL and CISF, besides other stakeholders, to analyse if the airport was on track to meet the demands expected during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Anybody knows what these 'tent-like' structures are?? And how can they help to enhance check-in and immigration.

This is just laughable - tent like structures , what happened to the interim terminal building and all that stuff .

AAI might have been incompetent but DIAL is proving to be just as disorganized

ThyssenKrupp Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walks to be Installed in Indian Airports - azobuild.com

ThyssenKrupp Elevator has won an order to supply 267 passenger transportation systems for Indira Gandhi International Airport in the Indian capital Delhi, strengthening the company’s position in one of Asia’s largest growth markets. 69 elevators, 37 escalators, 98 moving walks and 63 passenger boarding bridges from ThyssenKrupp Elevator will be installed in the new Terminal 3 building. A monitoring system for most of the installations will ensure smooth operations. A five-year maintenance contract for these systems has also been signed.
Named after the former prime minister Indira Gandhi, the country’s second-largest airport is a hub for international air traffic. It handles around 20 million passengers a year with over 200,000 arrivals and departures. The new Terminal 3 is designed for 27 million passengers per year and covers an area of 4.4 million square meters. It is scheduled to open in mid-2010.

Posted 12th May 2008

That's quite some nos! I think the present IGI has only 2 escalators? Now 37 escalators and 98 moving walkways, also 69 elevators. Wow. That's good to hear! I can't wait for the new terminal to get completed soon!

BTW, this news is at http://www.azobuild.com/news.asp?newsID=5472. It would be a good idea to have link of any news item being posted on the forum.

Tents to greet you at Delhi's modern airport
Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Tents_to_greet_you_at_Delhis_modern_airport/articleshow/3034804.cms)


Anybody knows what these 'tent-like' structures are?? And how can they help to enhance check-in and immigration.

Maybe they'll be mini Denver International looking structures. :D

haha, I'm sure the BRT officials are cooling their heads now, and thanking their stars that DIAL has taken over the spolight, all for the wrong reason, of course!

"Grimmest looking major airport, I give it zero stars" - TOI quoting Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commision who was citing a website in which passengers had vented their ire against IGI Airport. :ohno:

Anybody knows what these 'tent-like' structures are?? And how can they help to enhance check-in and immigration.

The infrastructure committee that gave the recommendation to DIAL didn't literally ask them to make a tent like structure. What they meant was just to create another interim terminal.

some details from an article in TOI -


the GMR-led consortium, DIAL, has hurriedly proposed to construct a temporary terminal to handle 3 million passengers in a year even as work on the main terminal continues.
Sources said DIAL’s offer to build the makeshift terminal appears to be an off-the-cuff reaction to all the criticism that it has been receiving. DIAL officials privately admitted that no study had been done on where the terminal would be located and how it would mesh with the existing facility.
Besides proposing a temporary terminal, spread over 5,000 square metres, along the lines of the one erected in Doha for the Asian Games, the DIAL team talked of other measures as they promised to set things right by June.

It's getting kinda off the topic, but I think most of the Indian reporters (TOI included) are no good, and are just that - reporters. They will not ask proper questions.

E.g. in this case some official somewhere tells them that 'tent-like structure' will come up that will enhance immigration and checkin, and they report it as-it-is. Why can't they ask question and clarify on behalf of their readers what is meant by these structures, and how will they possibly help :ohno:.

Patel raps govt bodies for Delhi airport mess
Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Patel_raps_govt_bodies_for_Delhi_airport_mess/articleshow/3037499.cms)
Stung by Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia’s criticism of the pace at which Delhi airport is being upgraded, civil aviation minister Praful Patel has retaliated. In a sarcastically-worded letter, the minister has accused the Planning Commission of delaying modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports with ‘constant’ objections. He also pointed out the inconvenience faced by passengers is mainly due to lack of co-operation from agencies like immigration and security which do not provide adequate staff to handle growing traffic volume, as a result of which more than a dozen counters remain vacant even as queues build up before the manned ones.

“The modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai is being delayed due to constant objections being raised by Planning Commission about the scale and size of these airports,” Mr Patel said in a hard-hitting letter to Dr Ahluwalia a day after GMR-run Delhi International Airport (DIAL) was pulled up for ‘total failure’ in improving passenger services.

Dr Ahluwalia, who plays a pivotal role in the Prime Minister’s committee on infrastructure, had pulled up GMR, branding the new airport manager utterly incompetent and suggested a number of measures to improve the Delhi airport. Dr Ahluwalia, a staunch supporter of the corporatisation exercise, had called for review of Delhi airport modernisation after a first-hand experience left him upset with quality of services at the airport. He had gone to the airport to see off a friend and the inconveniences experienced there seem to have proved an eye-opener.

However, Mr Patel said: “It’s necessary to point out that upgradation and modernisation of existing airports, growing at 40% plus annually is a challenging proposition. Moreover, agencies like immigration and security must co-operate in giving additional manpower at the earliest, as a large part of the inconvenience currently faced, is on account of shortage of staff and undermanning of these areas.” The sarcastic tone of Mr Patel’s letter reveals there is much more than unhappiness over delays in modernising of the Kolkata and Chennai airports.

The sarcastic tone of Mr Patel’s letter reveals there is much more than unhappiness over delays in modernising of the Kolkata and Chennai airports. “I am sure in your many visits across Delhi and the country, your attention would have been drawn to the various problems of roads, electricity, water, sanitation, sewerage system, public transport etc., only to name a few, and as always you will effectively address these problems in a time-bound manner,” says the communication. Obviously, the plan panel chief is being reminded about the numerous woes related to infrastructure which remain to be tackled while Delhi airport has got so much flak.In defence of the new Delhi airport operator, Mr Patel has also argued that ‘time-bound’ execution of major projects is no cakewalk. In fact, the term ‘time-bound’ has been used while referring to infrastructure constraints in other sectors too.

On the Planning Commission’s objections to upgradation of Kolkata and Chennai airports, Mr Patel has pointed out that the projects were cleared by the infrastructure panel. While modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports are being handled by private parties, expansion of airports at the other two metros has been left to the Airports Authority of India. “This despite the fact that the Committee on Infrastructure, headed by the Prime Minister, has categorically approved the projects,” the minister’s letter said.

Mr Patel has also recalled that the Planning Commission had raised several issues when the modernisation plan for Delhi and Mumbai airports was formulated. The entire process would have been derailed if the Planning Commission deputy chairperson had not intervened, the communication states, emphasising Mr Ahluwalia’s endorsement of the corporatisation process.

It's a surprise to see a govt minister take a public stand with the planning commission in support of a private player!

Congestion at IGI airport to ease by July


The Hindu, New Delhi, May 13, 2008


Delhi International Airport Limited on Monday apprised the Planning Commission of the progress of upgradation of Delhi airport and said congestion at the airport was likely to ease by July with a new infrastructure in place by then.

The meeting was chaired by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and attended by representatives from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, Central Industrial Security Force and Intelligence Bureau besides DIAL officials.

During 2008, DIAL plans to complete up-gradation of the international terminal (Terminal 2) and domestic arrivals.

According to GMR Chairman (Airports) Kiran Kumar Grandhi, the international terminal will be refurbished by July this year, while the new domestic terminal would be ready by November.

“We are also upgrading the Haj Terminal by October, soon after which Haj operations will begin. After Haj, we will use this terminal for international operations from January next year,” he told reporters after the meeting. The third runway will be ready for operations by August.

Those are the first pieces of concrete information I have heard from DIAL regarding the new Interim domestic departure terminal.

I thought that the function of the Planning Commision was:

Assessment of resources of the country
Formulation of Five-Year Plans for effective use of these resources
Determination of priorities, and allocation of resources for the Plans
Determination of requisite machinery for successful implementation of the Plans
Periodical appraisal of the progress of the Plan

What is their locus standi for questioning DIAL?

I thought that the function of the Planning Commision was:

Assessment of resources of the country
Formulation of Five-Year Plans for effective use of these resources
Determination of priorities, and allocation of resources for the Plans
Determination of requisite machinery for successful implementation of the Plans
Periodical appraisal of the progress of the Plan

What is their locus standi for questioning DIAL?

First, what we know is that Mr. Ahluwalia, Dy Chairman of Planning Commission (PC), had a personal bad experience recently while seeing-off a relative, and that miffed him like anything. And as we all know that in India when the big and mighty ones are miffed, they take it personally, and only then they realize what aam junta is going through :nuts:.

Second, on a more serious note, is the fact the the DIAL was handed over the IGI airport under the new airports policy of the central government, the policy having been formulated by the Committee on Infrastructure (CoI), Govt of India. This CoI has 14 members of which 4 are from PC, Mr Ahluwalia included. Though not sure if that gives the PC any legal standing to question the airport manager on their progress. :ohno:

[QUOTE=MxC;20682739]First, what we know is that Mr. Ahluwalia, Dy Chairman of Planning Commission (PC), had a personal bad experience recently while seeing-off a relative, and that miffed him like anything. And as we all know that in India when the big and mighty ones are miffed, they take it personally, and only then they realize what aam junta is going through :nuts:.


That seems to have been the reason more :bash: All the tin pot Maharajahs! :bash:

Yeah, the first reason is more like it, infact that is probably the only reason. Otherwise I can't imagine he wouldn't have read all the horrible passenger experiences that have been published in recent days in most newspapers.

First and foremost the Planning commission of India is a relic and belongs to the Communist way of governance rather than modern democracies. IMO this ivory tower commission needs to be abolished, which does nothing but concocts fancy numbers to achieve over a 5 year (good grief) period. Then they go about visiting each state and review the plan outlay for the year as if that meant anything. You see the plan commission honcho's smug face with each Chief Minister every year. Lord help us from these archaic measures.

The Civil aviation ministry is in charge, and whatever they do they are answerable to the public.

First and foremost the Planning commission of India is a relic and belongs to the Communist way of governance rather than modern democracies. IMO this ivory tower commission needs to be abolished, which does nothing but concocts fancy numbers to achieve over a 5 year (good grief) period. Then they go about visiting each state and review the plan outlay for the year as if that meant anything. You see the plan commission honcho's smug face with each Chief Minister every year. Lord help us from these archaic measures.

The Civil aviation ministry is in charge, and whatever they do they are answerable to the public.

Yeah, agree. They (the PC) dole out cash, like some King doling out money to his vassals "This year you take this much for doing this....":bash:

Even if he had only read the newspaper accounts and called DIAL, I think everyone here knows how each Govt. dept. is a stickler for sticking to their territory when it concerns our convinience." We do not deal with this! Go to XYZ dept.." All of a sudden this honcho can butt in now? If the civil aviation ministry was grilling DIAL, it would have been atleast understandable.

We need more Adminstrative reforms so the economic reforms can be sustained, but I am stating the obvious here...let me not derail the thread.

Looks like 'Ahluwalia effect' still continues to roll on ...

Aviation ministry, AAI asked to report progress on Delhi airport
Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Aviation_ministry_AAI_asked_to_report_progress_on_Delhi_airport/articleshow/3048082.cms)
The spat between Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and civil aviation minister Praful Patel over the pace at which the Capital’s international airport is being modernised seems to have drawn the attention of the parliamentary panel on transport, tourism and culture, which is headed by Sitaram Yechury. The panel has summoned the civil aviation ministry and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to appear before it to examine issues related to modernisation of Delhi airport.

The committee has summoned concerned authorities after Mr Ahluwalia pulled up GMR-led DIAL for failing to improve passenger amenities at the airport on Monday. The Planning Commission deputy chairman’s act had irked the civil aviation minister Praful Patel, who has blamed the Plan panel for delay in modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports.

“The parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture is examining the policy of modernisation of airports. The committee has decided to hold discussions on this with the civil aviation secretary and representatives of the AAI,” a source in the government confirmed.

The parliamentary panel would also take stock of various mandatory capital projects (MCPs) at the Delhi airport. After the Delhi airport was handed over to GMR Group-backed Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the new operator was expected to complete 28 mandatory capital projects within 24 months as per the operation, management and development agreement (OMDA).

Major works to be completed during this period included building of a third runway, construction of high speed rapid taxiway, new link taxiway, setting up of satellite rescue and fire station in the airside. Some of the city side works to be finished in the first two years were refurbishment of domestic and international terminals, setting up of ceremonial lounge and upgrade of general aesthetics at the airport.

“In the last review of MCPs which included service-related projects also such as reducing the dwell time at airport for passengers, it was found that DIAL completed 18 major works as against a target of 28. On an average, the delay in various projects was about three months. The delayed projects included traffic flow improvement and refurbishment of T2 and other terminals,” a top official in the ministry of civil aviation said. The review of major modernisation works of Delhi airport was taken by an independent agency called MIC. The next review for April-June period is expected to be submitted in July.

“On the request of DIAL ,we have given them one-and-half months time to bring the delayed works on track,” the official added. GMR Group officials, however, maintain that they have been complying with all the mandatory requirements in modernising the country’s second busiest airport. They also maintain that they are well on schedule in implementing various projects and actually ahead of schedule in few cases.

“As against the original schedule for building third runway in February 2009, we would commission it in August this year. In case of other MCPs also we are on time. There has been a little delay in refurbishing terminal T2 but it would be completed in June, as against the original target of May,” a DIAL official said.

The Planning commission is becoming a nuisance. What happened to their freaking plans and getting the right strategic direction of the nation, instead they are into day-to-day tactical issues. Here is another instance of their interference which is causing delays in road infrastructure. Developers avoid BOT highway projects (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1165202)


“The award of BOT contracts has been very slow because during the past two years, there have been disputes between the NHAI and the Planning Commission over some changes in the Model Concession Agreement for award of such contracts,” said a research analyst with a domestic brokerage firm

Looks like 'Ahluwalia effect' still continues to roll on ...

Aviation ministry, AAI asked to report progress on Delhi airport
Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Aviation_ministry_AAI_asked_to_report_progress_on_Delhi_airport/articleshow/3048082.cms)

The CPI were trying to find fault with the Private sector (aka capitalists) and looks like they found one

The CPI were trying to find fault with the Private sector (aka capitalists) and looks like they found one

thats hogwash. These people don't have any stake in these episodes other than being royal pains in the ass all around. Anyways, nobody should give a crap about what they think.

Heres a question to those asking for dissolving the Planning Commission - what should be in its place?

I read the story of the NHAI and PC spat, and apparently, Planning Commission wants to delegate responsibility of completion of projects on NHAI officials, and because of this, most officials are scared to take decisions, thus slowing down the process.

personally, I find this PeePeePee theory started by the Con'gress very confusing, and its very tangled to sort out. Either the govt should keep a project, or give it to the private company. Every project's been having problems.

just thought I'd post it here -

The Aerospace Museum coming up next to the airport...

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/5310/iafmuseumfk1.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1313/iafmuseum2of9.jpg

Neat stuff....

The 'Ahluwalia effect' now has progressed to the Prime Minister's level! Not clear from news if the report was demanded by PM, or if it was Ahluwalia's initiative to involve PM (maybe due to public spat with Praful Patel?).

PM to take stock of Delhi airport problems and expansion
Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3057100.cms)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be briefed by top officials including Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on the problems being faced by passengers in the expansion of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here, official sources said Tuesday.

"Ahluwalia will write to the prime minister, giving details of his talks with the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) officials and measures that are being taken to decongest the airport," an official said.

Ahluwalia last week held a couple of meetings with GMR Infrastructure chief G.M. Rao and other officials responsible for the expansion of the airport that has led to untold misery for thousands of arriving and departing passengers every day.

Ahluwalia had a long review meeting with DIAL officials May 12.

However, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel did not appreciate the meeting and wrote to Ahluwalia May 13, blaming the Planning Commission for delay in modernisation of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai airports.

Guys, google earth is yet to update its images of Delhi airport area, and still old ones are being shown. Does anyone have recent daytime aerial pics of the construction progress that you would like to share?

just thought I'd post it here -

The Aerospace Museum coming up next to the airport...



Here is a google earth image with a red circle marking the place I think this museum is supposed to come. However it's been a long time since I passed through that area, so I may be a bit misplaced here. Can someone confirm if I got it right? And anybody knows by when is this museum expected to come up?
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/7954/igimuseumlocationqv8.th.jpg (http://img387.imageshack.us/my.php?image=igimuseumlocationqv8.jpg)

A report which has been published in Todays' Delhi edition of HT states that DIAL has finalized a location to build a huge tent like Structure which will be Interim and will host International passengers in order to de-congest the existing Terminal 2.

Talks are on with 4-5 flights to shift there when it begins operations in November , bids have been invited from companies who specialize in building these kind of temporary structures mainly for sports events.

Since the Article cannot be copied I could not give the link to it , if someone else can then pls. do so.

SHELLING OUT MORE
Now, flyers to pay ‘fee’ that will fund IGI modernization


New Delhi: Flying out of Delhi could soon pinch your pocket a little more. An ‘‘airport development fee’’ (ADF) of about Rs 1,000 on an international and between Rs 300 and Rs 500 on a domestic flier could be levied after October. This fee will go into part funding the remaining Rs 2,750 crore that is yet to be be tied up for the Rs 9,000-crore IGI modernization plan under which a new airport has to be ready by 2010.

Incidentally, Rs 1,000 is the user fee that an international passenger pays for flying out of the new airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore. This fee is part of ticket component and goes to developers to finance their projects.

The model being discussed by GMR-led Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) and ministry to raise nearly Rs 2,750 crore is three-pronged — a reasonable amount of security from bidders for hotel districts; loans and ADF. The last component directly affects fliers. It is reliably learnt that three to four options for this fee are being studied. Among the models are, Rs 1,000-charge for international fliers and between Rs 300 and Rs 500 for domestic ones. If approved, the ADF could come into force after October.

‘‘Since the project is of national importance, the implementation has been delinked from the funding with all stakeholders agreeing to pump in additional equity for whatever amount is needed. If there’s any gap between what the three components can raise and the required Rs 2,750 crore, all stakeholders will chip in,’’ said highly placed sources. This amount would be raised in proportion to the holdings of different players in DIAL which is — GMR (50.1%), AAI (26%), Fraport and Malaysian Airports (10% each) and IDFC (3.9%).

While airfares are going up steeply due to hikes in jet fuel, this likely extra burden on passengers is a fallout of the disagreement between the aviation ministry and the GMR Group that’s developing IGI over the method of raising funds. The GMR-led Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) had initially proposed to raise about Rs 2,800 crore as security deposit from bidders selected to build nearly 3,000 hotel rooms in a 45-acre hospitality district.

The aviation ministry had objected on the ground that 45.9% of this money was not being shared with the government as per the agreement with DIAL. But since the new airport has to be ready in next two years before Commonwealth Games here, the consortia has to achieve financial closure (tie up for all funds needed) at the earliest. A final decision is likely by next month.

Since the Article cannot be copied I could not give the link to it , if someone else can then pls. do so.

Here you go...

No queue, no congestion. Fly out of jumbo-size tent (http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=23_05_2008_008_003&typ=1&pub=47)
FROM NOVEMBER this year, air travellers would not have to brave serpentine queues, congestion and construction material at the Indira Gandhi International Airport because they would be flying out of a tent.

Airport operator Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd., which has been facing a lot of flak for the mess at IGI Airport, has selected the site for an interim international terminal and plans to construct it by November end. After the private consortium was directed by the Civil Aviation Ministry to de-congest the IGI Airport, it had come up with this plan.

The interim terminal, which would look like a huge tent like structure, is going to come up next to the Haj terminal. DIAL has invited firms that specialise in building such temporary structures to submit proposals for the structure.

The structure would be a basic framework over which a special fabric would be placed. Such structures are usually constructed at sporting events.

"We still haven't decided on the size or capacity of the structure but it would accommodate enough passengers to de-congest IGIA's international terminal 2," said a senior DIAL official. "We have to calculate the size, flight schedules, number of aircraft at a given time to finalize the size. We don't want it to be worse than Terminal 2," he said. DIAL had initially suggested that the terminal would be spread over 5,000 square metres.

DIAL is planning to shift 4-5 airlines to the interim terminal and is in talks with the airlines that they have zeroed-in on.

Here is how one can get the article and link from HT epaper. When the article appears in a popup window...

1) To get the link: Click on email button at top, and send it to own email. This email will have a link to a standalone copy of the article which you can copy.

2) To copy the article: Click the text view button at top. The view will change from a graphic to text. One can then copy this text. However one will need to manually re-insert the paragraph breaks, and possibly remove hyphenations before posting them.

Delhi to have 'Airport Link Express' soon (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Delhi_to_have_Airport_Link_Express_soon/articleshow/3070399.cms)

Those flying out of the capital will soon be able to check-in their baggages at 20 places across the city and take dedicated AC luxury buses to airport.

Aptly named Airport Link Express, the facility will press around 300 AC luxury buses into service by next year to carry airline passengers from different parts of the city.

Similar to Airlink services operational in Sydney, Vancouver, Paris, Tokyo and Amsterdam, these buses will have trained staff to handle baggage right from the point passengers board the buses to getting it checked-in at the airport.

The Airport Link Express service will be launched by the Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) at an estimated cost of Rs 110 crores with active participation of the DTC and Delhi Tourism. The buses would be plying at a frequency of every 15 minutes round the clock from 20 different locations across the city.

"The locations are likely to be near hotels, large office complexes, commercial centres and large residential areas," said OP Agarwal, Managing Director, UMTC.

More buses and linkage points including Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad will be added later on, he added.

The new domestic terminal under construction.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2523971578_e8594abca2.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2523146119_499797f37c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2523267281_aa51caa9eb.jpg


The new domestic terminal extends from terminal 1A to terminal 1B.

Terminal III under construction can be seen in the back ground.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2523970838_97f082f7f0.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2523969990_11a6a3e511.jpg

The new domestic terminal between 1A and 1B was supposed to be functional by June 2008 but as I see from the pictures posted by himmat , it' still only a structure and nothing else , maybe they could get T# ready before this thing starts to work.

No wonder DIAL is getting so many people frustrated , I just hope that T3 and the new runaway can justify this trouble faced by passengers right now.

Those are great pictures there Kronik. Can't wait to see the picture of the completed terminal!!

The new domestic terminal under construction.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2523971578_e8594abca2.jpg
The new domestic terminal extends from terminal 1A to terminal 1B.

Grt pics mate! Wonderful work!

Is this the render for the above construction work? If so can someone identify the existing terminals?

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5663/dialpb5.jpg

source: DIAL Website

That's a generic render of the aerotropolis that will come up at IGI by 2010. The render for the new interim domestic arrival terminal can be found here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155216&postcount=516) and here (://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155669&postcount=517)

went through delhi again last weekend. i cant understand why DIAL cant even maintain a clean toilet. all the urinals in 1B were overflowing, every single one, it was disgusting. had to use the loo instead, which was not in the best of shape either

went through delhi again last weekend. i cant understand why DIAL cant even maintain a clean toilet. all the urinals in 1B were overflowing, every single one, it was disgusting. had to use the loo instead, which was not in the best of shape either

Every where in india the toilets suck!!!!

I remember jan 2007 the toilets where so bad at mumbai international aiport. I was so bad...

Bt then at the end of the year dad went said they clean it up.... but he is born and rasied in mumbai... so... his standereds are very low!!!

whats the reason for your low standards of english?

whats the reason for your low standards of English?

Bombay Boy - this is not a place to discuss standards of English and neither is anyone interested in making it a childish Mumbai V/S Delhi thread , it's about Delhi airport and if you have anything to say about that then you must. However taking cheap shots at language is not done. Try to refrain from it.

whats the reason for your low standards of english?

ok.. ur nice...

Um... because i suck at writing and have a problem... and it effects lots of people... i would explain how it works.... but, cbf. And in NZ they dnt teach u how 2 write they way they do in india.. the make u sound it out.... and all this other random crap. ( btw if u no ur history u wld no english did have a correst way of spelling.. and if it sounded right, it goes)


At least um... i can talk english properly and string my words right! ( i am guessing ur frm mumbai....)

this is a problem with indian borns.. think they no everything and try to correct you... and most of the time they are wrong.

Bombay Boy - this is not a place to discuss standards of English and neither is anyone interested in making it a childish Mumbai V/S Delhi thread , it's about Delhi airport and if you have anything to say about that then you must. However taking cheap shots at language is not done. Try to refrain from it.

what? you didnt notice the post above mine? i only mentioned delhi airport, the rest you can see

what? you didnt notice the post above mine? i only mentioned delhi airport, the rest you can see

Lets just keep bickering from anyone to the side and get the real issue about the airport (if any) back n track.

but he is born and rasied in mumbai... so... his standereds are very low!!!

this is a problem with indian borns.. think they no everything and try to correct you... and most of the time they are wrong.

whats with the sweeping generalizations? Just stick to the topic.

went through delhi again last weekend. i cant understand why DIAL cant even maintain a clean toilet. all the urinals in 1B were overflowing, every single one, it was disgusting. had to use the loo instead, which was not in the best of shape either

Blame partly lies on the people using it too. In the domestic terminal from where Jet Airways flies out, I was waiting for a domestic flight. At the far end there is a water cooler. We were parked right next to it. People came, picked up a plastic cup from the dispenser drank water and promptly dropped the empty cup right near the water cooler. Granted that a trash can wasn't provided, but one one single person bothered to hold on to it and walk a few steps to find a trash can. If you think I am exaggerating, the next time you are there please observe the water cooler for about 10 mins. You will be surprised with what you see, folks wearing ties, expensive designer clothes, kids, young and old people EVERYODY follow the same pattern and I guess need to be educated on CIVIC SENSE. Extend the same behaviour to toilets and other areas..I guess you saw the end results first hand. Combine that with bad maintenance and :-) you kind of get the picture.

I don't know if it's the quality of this night shot or the actual, but whenever I land at Delhi coming from other 'developed countries' airports, I can't fail but notice the dark and unglamorous appearances even before coming up to the air bridge :ohno:. And it looks even more so and additionally, dysfunctional, and ill organized once you enter the terminal building.

It's been almost a year since I last landed at DEL, but is it still looking the same, or has there been any changes for better; negative ones I've heard a lot about? I sincerely hope like all others that India will soon have airports that can compete with the best airports in the world and make a name for them.



The expressway looks nice! How long is it. Do you have more aerial photos of the approach areas to IGI?

I landed in the day at IGI this May by the Jet Airways flight from London. I was I was quite impressed from the air after I saw a long divided road (expressway?) with neat lane markings. I think I saw an interchange as well which you normally see in developed countries. Once inside the terminal it was a different story. The pathway from the terminal to the interterminal bus was kaccha with debris strewn all around. Once we got out of the airfield just before arriving at the domestic terminal the usual scene of debris, broken slabs, garbage etc. on the footpath greeted us. The jet airways terminal was indeed a shock to me; Mumbai domestic terminal or for that matter Bangalore railway station is far better. Who on earth would park a bus in the middle of the road on the outer most right turn off lane?? ..well..DIAL interterminal shuttle bus :-). How we grabbed a trolley, went back to the bus and got into the terminal after crossing 2 lanes of traffic baffles me.

Once inside the terminal it was a different story. The pathway from the terminal to the interterminal bus was kaccha with debris strewn all around. Once we got out of the airfield just before arriving at the domestic terminal the usual scene of debris, broken slabs, garbage etc. on the footpath greeted us. The jet airways terminal was indeed a shock to me; Mumbai domestic terminal or for that matter Bangalore railway station is far better. Who on earth would park a bus in the middle of the road on the outer most right turn off lane?? ..well..DIAL interterminal shuttle bus :-). How we grabbed a trolley, went back to the bus and got into the terminal after crossing 2 lanes of traffic baffles me.

It is disappointing to hear about your experience. We know there is lot of construction going on, but then it is no excuse for shoddy appearances. One would have imagined that GMR/DIAL would do a better job at managing the whole construction and related affairs. But judging by media reports and experiences like yours, it doesn't seems to be the case.

There are ways of shielding construction activities and related eye sores, even major ones, from public view even in heavily trafficked areas. And looks like GMR isn't following them.

I remember landing at Beijing airport last May while the construction for the new terminal was still on. If you weren't paying close attention, the construction activities were barely visible.

I landed in the day at IGI this May by the Jet Airways flight from London. I was I was quite impressed from the air after I saw a long divided road (expressway?) with neat lane markings. I think I saw an interchange as well which you normally see in developed countries.

Nice to know it looks good. Did you manage to get any pictures?

sorry, i did not get any photos. With the stoway baggage and electronic device rules all my gear was up there in the bin. Wonder how others manage to get photos. Probably I should sling my camera on my neck the next time :).

deleted as duplicate post caused by issues with website.

deleted as duplicate post caused by issues with website.

Always follow the threads in this forum with great enthusiasm but seeing plenty of DIAL/IGI bashing i couldnt stop myself from posting in the thread. DIAL offcourse is going through its fair share of probs esp the domestic terminal which was built in 1970,s and no major capacity addition was done in the same. But the new Domestic Terminal which is coming up to be named as 1D and located btw Arrivals and Terminal 1A (IC/IT) Departure terminal will go a long in solving the congestion issue along with the new runway which would start running in Aug 08

For people who are pro MIAL its important to note that GVK wont be able to offer much solution apart from cosmetic changes in 2010 when the growth capacity peaks as the navi mumbai airport might not be ready till 2012.

Where as in DEL you would see the opening of the T3 along with a high speed airport express line to the CBD of the capital city. Infact the renovation of T2 is almost complete with in line baggage lane already in action.

So all this development of infrastructure at the right time would coupled with already high growth rate than CSIA would make DEL the preffered aviation HUB in india.

Mate FYI Camera is allowed in Cabin Baggage cheers

wap5, were you trying to make a point here in favor of DIAL/GMR, or was it a general observation?

wap5, were you trying to make a point here in favor of DIAL/GMR, or was it a general observation?

A bit of both from what I can interpret , he says tat people need to be more patient and over periods of time as new interim terminals are set up , that 200 cars parking building comes up , new runway is commissioned , arrival area is expanded , in line baggage check in is introduced , T3 is ready - problems will recede and a new world class airport will take shape.

I think GMR has proved it's capable with RGIA.

A bit of both from what I can interpret , he says tat people need to be more patient and over periods of time as new interim terminals are set up , that 200 cars parking building comes up , new runway is commissioned , arrival area is expanded , in line baggage check in is introduced , T3 is ready - problems will recede and a new world class airport will take shape.

I think GMR has proved it's capable with RGIA.

Exactly. Infact after opening up of the Expressway the connectivity issue has been resolved to a great extent from Gurgaon/West Delhi. For south delhi once the 3 flyovers come up at outer ring road airport will just be a 15 mins drive.

Anyways due to Gagan and due to new runway holding pattern timings over DEL would just reduce considerably. we need to be patient about things and trust me changes are happening at a real good pace

And airlines across the globe have realised the potential of DEL as a hub

SQ will go double daily from AUG, TG already operating a morning flight 4 days a week besides the usual daily night departure. CX is double daily from DEL, JL is going to upgrade its flight from T7 to 774, MH operating a morning flight 2 days a week, EK also going to increase to 18 services from 14 daily

And there is a update for everyone DEL would get the first regular A380 pax service to India

Domestic Terminal doesn't support Aerobridges : DIAL
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/despite-crashes-no-aerobridges-at-delhis-domestic-airport_10055718.html
New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) With no aerobridges planned at Delhi airport’s domestic terminal in the immediate future, there is no guarantee against accidents like the one Sunday when a Ukrainian national was crushed by a bus as he was unloading his luggage. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the company developing the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, says the infrastructure at the domestic terminal does not support the facility for aerobridges.

“The height of the domestic terminal doesn’t support aerobridges,” DIAL spokesperson Arun Arora said. “These cannot be installed here immediately.”

Aerobridges are chutes linking an aircraft to the departure or arrival terminal. Air travellers walk through these to board or get off a plane, and this ensures their on-ground safety.

Arora said 84 aerobridges would be installed at the international terminal (T3) by 2010, but regular air passengers are concerned over the domestic terminal being given the go-by.

“The movement at the domestic terminal is much more than at the international terminal,” said a frequent air traveller. “There is a severe lack of planning. You have aerobridges even at greenfield airports in at Bangalore and Hyderebad,”

Early Sunday, a Ukrainian national was killed and three people were injured when a bus hit them, making it the latest in a raft of accidents at the IGI Airport.

The Sunday before, a Jet Airways employee died after being hit by a DIAL ambulance, while on March 27 a 30-year-old worker was crushed to death under a bulldozer. Last October, 27-year-old Sanskriti Sinha, an Air Deccan engineer, was found dead between the airport’s taxiway and the ramp in October last year.

DIAL claims it has taken several initiatives for the airside safety, including restricting the movement of buses ferrying passengers, flight crews and airport employees at the departure and arrival terminals. Drivers are being trained and speed governors being installed.

Additionally, railings have been installed at the drop-off area to ensure people seeing off or receiving passengers do not unnecessarily crowd the terminals. DIAL has also appointed over 40 airside monitoring inspectors to ensure people adhere to rules and regulations.

“We will soon have improved airside signage, new runway guard lights and better lighting on the airside, all conforming to ICAO standards,” Arora said.

Govt approves more immigration counters at Delhi airport
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Travel/Govt_approves_more_immigration_counters_at_Delhi_airport/articleshow/3097140.cms
NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday approved setting up of new immigration counters and increasing the strength of CISF personnel posted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, a move that may bring relief to travellers.

A panel headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekar that went into infrastructure facilities at the airport decided to increase the number of immigration counters from existing 56 to 100, which will reduce queues and congestion within the airport, official sources said here.

The panel, which has representation from every sector related to the modernisation of the Delhi Airport, also decided to increase the number of CISF personnel on duty at the airport.

The move follows Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahulwalia's meeting with officials of Delhi airport developer DIAL to review facilities.

The review meeting led to exchange of words between the Civil Aviation Ministry and Planning Commission, following which the panel was constituted. The panel would be meeting again on June 12.

thats horrible... people dying in airport due to negligence. i remember the case when a little american girl got killed due to faulty escalators at Dial. i thought that will open the eyes of administration and things like that will never happen again. what is the human life worth for these people?
This is totally unacceptable. Forget the new airport. first ensure the safety of the people on the ground. Delhi airport is notorious already for missing baggages and stealing stuff from luggage. it doesn't need any more bad publicity.

Also the height of terminal and aerobridges seems to be a BS to me. i have seen airports with slanted aerobridges like a little slope to level it with the height of plane. I know one thing , where there is will there is a way. unless you dont want to do it nothing is impossible.
my 2 paise

This is truly horrible. we set our standards so low that now even a non-functional airport seems preferable because at least we come out with our lives intact!

Domestic Terminal doesn't support Aerobridges : DIAL
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/despite-crashes-no-aerobridges-at-delhis-domestic-airport_10055718.html
New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) With no aerobridges planned at Delhi airport’s domestic terminal in the immediate future, there is no guarantee against accidents like the one Sunday when a Ukrainian national was crushed by a bus as he was unloading his luggage.

There's no relation between the existence/nonexistence of aerobridges with the unfortunate death of that Ukrainian passenger. The passenger was killed outside the terminal when he was unloading his bags off of a bus and another bus with crew members of an airline hit him.

i remember the case when a little american girl got killed due to faulty escalators at Dial.

She was Indian.

There's no relation between the existence/nonexistence of aerobridges with the unfortunate death of that Ukrainian passenger. The passenger was killed outside the terminal when he was unloading his bags off of a bus and another bus with crew members of an airline hit him.



She was Indian.

I think she was Indian American to be precise....

Exactly. Infact after opening up of the Expressway the connectivity issue has been resolved to a great extent from Gurgaon/West Delhi. For south delhi once the 3 flyovers come up at outer ring road airport will just be a 15 mins drive.

Anyways due to Gagan and due to new runway holding pattern timings over DEL would just reduce considerably. we need to be patient about things and trust me changes are happening at a real good pace

And airlines across the globe have realised the potential of DEL as a hub

SQ will go double daily from AUG, TG already operating a morning flight 4 days a week besides the usual daily night departure. CX is double daily from DEL, JL is going to upgrade its flight from T7 to 774, MH operating a morning flight 2 days a week, EK also going to increase to 18 services from 14 daily

And there is a update for everyone DEL would get the first regular A380 pax service to India

wap5, I don't think DIAL/GMR is being 'bashed' on this forum. Everybody has indeed very high expectations from them and I think all the mess that gets reported in between is testing everybody's patience. We all are very eagerly waiting to see the promised dream getting realized.

At the same time we should not forget that GMR has itself set it's standard high while advertising their progress. In their own words, their mission mantra is "Everything has to be exactly right, ALWAYS!".

BTW, what did you meant by Gagan when you wrote "... Anyways due to Gagan and ..."?

I think she was Indian American to be precise....

You're talking about Jyotsna Jethani right?

BTW, what did you meant by Gagan when you wrote "... Anyways due to Gagan and ..."?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Aided_Geo_Augmented_Navigation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Aided_Geo_Augmented_Navigation

Thanks for the link. I knew about this system, but had forgotten it was referred as gagan :)

You're talking about Jyotsna Jethani right?



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Aided_Geo_Augmented_Navigation

yes.. i just looked her up. i think i was wrong. for some reason i thought she was american citizen. her family got 2,50,000 French Francs in compensation.

yes.. i just looked her up. i think i was wrong. for some reason i thought she was american citizen. her family got 2,50,000 French Francs in compensation.

She used to live in Dubai. It's weird that AAI was told to compensate her family in Francs and that too in 2004. They were finally given Rs.38 lakhs this year in Jan.

Domestic Terminal doesn't support Aerobridges : DIAL
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/despite-crashes-no-aerobridges-at-delhis-domestic-airport_10055718.html
New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) With no aerobridges planned at Delhi airport’s domestic terminal in the immediate future, there is no guarantee against accidents like the one Sunday when a Ukrainian national was crushed by a bus as he was unloading his luggage. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the company developing the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, says the infrastructure at the domestic terminal does not support the facility for aerobridges.

“The height of the domestic terminal doesn’t support aerobridges,” DIAL spokesperson Arun Arora said. “These cannot be installed here immediately.”

Aerobridges are chutes linking an aircraft to the departure or arrival terminal. Air travellers walk through these to board or get off a plane, and this ensures their on-ground safety.

Arora said 84 aerobridges would be installed at the international terminal (T3) by 2010, but regular air passengers are concerned over the domestic terminal being given the go-by..

Typical news article which has not been researched at all. T3 which is coming up in 2010 is going to have 2 piers and International Pier and a Domestic pier. All full service carriers will shift from Terminal 1A/1D once the T3 is ready. After this 1D/1A would be the LCC terminal of IGIA.

Anyone flying 9W/IT/IC would get the same experience at par with pax bound for overseas travel. Its a global norm that LCC dont use jet/aerobridges for embarkation/ disembarkation of pax as the handling charges billed to the airlines for such a service is high

cheers

lccs in major airports use areobridges. at least in europe they do

^^not all lccs use aerobridges in Europe

thats why i said major airports. for eg. stansted uses aerobridges, lubeck does not

From what I know T3 will initially host International and domestic (full service) carriers but later all LCC's will also shift to the South Side of T3 and the Interim terminal which is supposed to be ready by November this year will host Cargo operations as 1B would have been demolished and eventually T2 too.

1-D can be seen u/c in these pics:

June 2
Copyright NA.dir
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/9162/255668199466f54cfdaebsa6.jpg


http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9283/41031327hs6.jpg

Thanks for the pictorial update . The latest confirmed update which i have is that the botox job at the T2 would be over exactly on June30. T1D would be ready for sure by this year end ie during the annual winter peak season. It was suppose to be ready Jul/Aug but Airforce HQ gave the possession of the land a bit late as they couldnt find appropriate space to relocated the quaters.

Now the highlight. T3 will have 54 contact stands ie it will be able to accomodate 54 aircrafts in one go. But in total there would be 84 aerobridges. Now the number of aerobridges is simply high because DIAL would be constructin 8-9 Gates which would be able to cater A380,s which means aerobridges at 2 level one catering to lower deck and other to the upper deck. Besides this international terminal would also have double arm aerobridges which means 1st class/Bizz class pax would get their own aerobridge and eco pax will have a seperate aerobridge for boarding.


The work for the airport line has also started near the airport area/ CP and 2 TBM,s are already in use.

Delhi airport to go hi-tech and more secure (http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=447515&sid=REG)

New Delhi, June 08: The "hyper-sensitive" Delhi airport is set to go hi-tech with the introduction of an array of new technologies which promises to make your journey less time consuming and more secure. A four-layer 'perimeter intrusion system', Internet Protocol-based cameras, in-line baggage clearing system and explosive vapour detectors among other such measures are being put in place to counter growing terror threat to the airport and make it less congested.

like this photo taken by Himmat (and posted by him in a smaller size earlier)

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/5354/delhiterminalnewhimmatscg6.jpg

1-D can be seen u/c in these pics:

I'm sorry, but i didn't even know a 1-D was being constructed. I thought the biggest thing under construction right now was T3 and the completion of T2. I thought T1 was already complete (except for T1B). Im confused

1-D is an Interim Terminal being built by GMR and has a capacity of 10 m ppa and will be ready by November , it would support the already crammed 1B in sharing it's load and it built between 1A(arrival) and 1B (departure).

1D will remain until T3 is ready to host all domestic carriers and then it would be demolished along with 1B to make permanent terminals later on.

I'm sorry, but i didn't even know a 1-D was being constructed. I thought the biggest thing under construction right now was T3 and the completion of T2. I thought T1 was already complete (except for T1B). Im confused

The terminal you see u/c in the above images is the new interim departure terminal for domestic operations. It has been dubbed T1D.

When the airlines move to T1D, then T1B will be taken down/decommissioned. The existing arrivals terminal (T1C) is being expanded right now and will be known as T1B.

I thought the biggest thing under construction right now was T3 and the completion of T2.

T2 is being upgraded right now. You can read more about that here-->http://newdelhiairport.in/page.asp?id=terminal-2.asp

Source: HT epaper
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6049/nomorejostlingforseatatxo8.jpg

And here is the accompanying picture

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/792/nomorejostlingforseatatoj9.jpg

Some relief in store for international passengers as well. Finally in-line baggage handling is coming to DEL:banana:

Source: HT epaper (you may need to scroll a bit to read it)


http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/888/smoothcheckinatairportfqd9.jpg

There's no relation between the existence/nonexistence of aerobridges with the unfortunate death of that Ukrainian passenger. The passenger was killed outside the terminal when he was unloading his bags off of a bus and another bus with crew members of an airline hit him.



She was Indian.

Your assesment is correct. But what is also true is that non existence of aerobridges leads to a chaotic environment on the tarmac/apron with buses,passengers,planes & ground handling equipment competing for space in the busiest and most hazardous area on any airport. Installation and use of aerobridges has to be expedited.

(Source: HT ePaper of Jun 11)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4386/igisterminal2tobekeptopaj1.jpg

GMR is now having second thoughts about demolishing T2! I wonder how this development would affect the future master plan. If extension is only for 2 yrs, then maybe no impact. However even though right now they are saying it is for another 2 years only, but they could always extend it later on for more years. I guess we will need to wait and watch.

Your assesment is correct. But what is also true is that non existence of aerobridges leads to a chaotic environment on the tarmac/apron with buses,passengers,planes & ground handling equipment competing for space in the busiest and most hazardous area on any airport. Installation and use of aerobridges has to be expedited.

I agree and whatever you said is ofcourse true. Anyhow, the reason why they aren't going in for aerobridges is that after T3 opens in Mar 2010, the terminal will be used to cater to the LCCs which won't be using the aerobridges inorder to save some money.

T3 on June 6
Copyright VM2827
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/6285/256650051731dfc37a6eoov4.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/9593/256650042326e03cb376otd3.jpg

20 days to a swanky airport
More Seats At Terminal 1B, Display Systems To Be In Place
Neha Lalchandani | TNN

New Delhi: The IGI Airport management, Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL), has only 20 days left to complete modernisation work at the International terminal and work is on in full force to meet the deadline. By June 30, passengers can expect to see several changes, at both the international and domestic terminal, where new passenger amenities are being introduced.

In the congested terminal 1B building, the management has already commissioned a new wing towards the low cost carrier (LCC) side near gates 2 and 3. ‘‘The new wing has been commissioned in the security hold area with a seating capacity of 150. This could come handy since the holiday season has begun and passenger load has gone up. The seating system is also new and bought specially from a Swiss manufacturer,’’ said a DIAL official.

A special bus gate is being constructed to provide direct access to passengers from this area to the aircraft. Flight information display systems and televisions for entertainment have also been put up.

‘‘CISF staff would be in place by next week. Entry gates to the terminals are being widened and the number of personnel required at each such station would double. Check-in machines are also being increased,’’ said an official.

Meanwhile, the extension to terminal 1B should also be ready by June 30. Officials revealed that plans were on to ready it before the monsoon so that passengers would have some shelter from the rain.

The in-line baggage system, that is already undergoing a trial run at the international airport, will also be fully commissioned by July 1. ‘‘Our men are working on the new system and their training on the job will be over soon. Our aim is to hand over the newly renovated terminal 2 on July 1 itself,’’ said officials

Source - http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=CAP&login=default&Enter=true&Skin=TOI&GZ=T



Things are slowly looking up at DIAL, when I boarded my flight to Hyd. (SG-211) in the peak hours at 9am , I was mighty surprised to see no congestion what so ever , either at check in or security hold .

Btw , nice pics IU - shows just how vast T3 is

^^
For domestic, is the period around 9 am peak hour? If yes, then it's a welcome development indeed!

^^
For domestic, is the period around 9 am peak hour? If yes, then it's a welcome development indeed!

yes , it very much is as I did end up spending a frustrating 2 hours in the aircraft due to congestion in the air and a long que for takeoff which is unfortunately a regular feature and may continue to be so until the new runway is operational in august.

IGI to get private terminal for chartered flights soon (http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=8799e215-3bf4-471d-a6ed-d7fbce41d4d1)
In a little over two years, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) would have India’s first dedicated terminal for private jets and chartered flights. The general aviation facility would fulfil the long pending demand of corporate houses to have ‘private airports’ or at least separate terminals for business travellers at airports, especially in busy ones like Delhi and Mumbai.

Airport operator Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd had recently invited Express of Interest (EoI) from global fixed base operators (FBOs) to build and operate dedicated General Aviation facilities at IGIA. “This would help in providing exclusive services to users of private and charter aircrafts at IGI,” a DIAL spokesman said.

The special terminal could come up near the existing domestic airport or it might also begin from the international Terminal 2 of IGIA, which was originally planned to be de-commissioned after the integrated Terminal 3 comes up by March 2010.

The FBO would provide services at both the terminals and the airside to general aviation passengers. “Services provided in the terminal would include special lounges, conferencing facilities apart from other amenities like rental cars, charters, catering, hotel reservations etc.,” he said.

In the airside, the FBO would provide handling services, aircraft fuelling, parking and hangar services, the official said.

During the financial year 2007-08, the general aviation traffic has grown at over 22 per cent, recording nearly 10,000 aircraft movements (excluding defence aircraft).

“At present there are nearly 100 general aviation aircraft in India and considering the number of pending applications with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, this number is likely to be ramped up to 300 in a few years,” the official said.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/2582447341_b3a06dc45a_b.jpg
Entrance
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2583274972_f7c577f9f5_b.jpg
Check in
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2583279738_3ae35faf62_b.jpg
Security Check

Pics were taken in end-April 08. This was at around 9:30 PM, and contrary to what the media reports were howling at that time, things were pretty smooth and business-like.

Holy Sh*t... Great pictures man!!

The terminal looks great! Reading all those depressing news, I'd started to think it would be looking like hell. But no, there's much improvements visible, even in the limited no of pics.

I can't wait to see the new terminal building coming up :cheers:

Though a road project news, posting it here as it concerns the Delhi airport mostly....

Five more routes to connect Delhi airport before Games 2010 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Five_more_routes_to_connect_Delhi_airport_before_Games_2010/articleshow/3130576.cms)
With an aim to decongest traffic on roads leading to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, five new routes will be thrown open to the public before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The construction of two underpasses at Rao Tularam Marg, a separate route from Dwarka circle and a tunnel at Mahipalpur connecting from Vasant Kunj are to be constructed to link the airport on priority basis, Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran told reporters.

Besides, two more routes - a northern underpass crossing the National Highway-8 and a separate access from the international terminal to the domestic one on the southern side of the airport, would also be constructed to facilitate hassle free drive.

While the DDA would construct the underpass project at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crores, the four-lane Mahipalpur tunnel project would be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crores by the Delhi government.

The other three proposed projects are to be finalised shortly, he said adding that the routes are being planned on the recommendations of the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) which had undertaken a study on it.

The Airport route which normally witnessess heavy traffic is likely to see an increased rush during the Games 2010.

"There is a need to expand the existing roads with construction of more link routes connecting the airport to decongest the route at peak hours," Ramachandran said.

Nice pics there Arhant.

I feel that they've hired a bit too many staff seen in the blue uniform. Half of them can always be seen loitering around with nothing on their platter.

wow i can't believe AAI made such a shitty international airport. it looks worse than my high school. nothing DIAL does will make this thing any better. we just have to wait for T3...

that seems to be the Lufthansa crew in line for the security check.

Thanks.

I personally feel DIAL is doing a decent job of upgrading. Atleast they have been able to get rid of that depressing, seedy 80s look. There is very little they can do about space that simply does not exist here, or near zero patience levels of some passengers (talking about that it perplexes me that people put up with extremely shoddy AAI jobs for their whole life, but the moment the project gets privatised, they expect absolute top of line treatment, no less, instantly).

PS: what happens to those huge M F Husain murals? I did not see them around this time. Will they come back in T3, or adorn the homes of GMR honchos?

Truly bizzare events... :nuts:

Birds, Lizards on Delhi runway; 50 flights delayed (http://www.ibnlive.com/news/birds-lizards-on-delhi-runway-50-flights-delayed/67247-3.html)


New Delhi: About 50 flights were delayed by up to three hours due to bad weather, use of single runway and sighting of animals on the runway at the IGI airport on Monday inconveniencing the passengers.

About 50 flights were delayed due to use of single runway after heavy rains lashed the city between 10 am and 11 am.

The primary runway (27/9) was unavailable for one hour after a jackal, few monitor lizards and birds were spotted, a DIAL spokesman said.

"As the runway are being operated in dependent mode, when there is disruption on the runway due to safety reasons – it may lead to flight disruption," he said.

The spokesman said that spotting of animals and birds is a common phenomenon during the monsoon and heavy rains.

It had a dedicated team to control their activities but despite this flight movements are affected.

Hi-tech inline baggage handling system installed at IGI

A hi-tech in-line baggage handling system, which speeds up the pre-departure process of the passengers without compromising the security, has been commissioned at the international terminal (T2) of Indira Gandhi International Airport here.

The system, which was installed after six months of parallel trials with the existing x-ray screening systems, allows smooth transfer of baggage from passenger to plane without them to queue in for x-ray screening before check-in.

A three-level scanning process ascertains that the baggage is fully screened and marked along the way. As the passenger deposits his baggage at the check-in counter - a modular system weighs and transports the luggage onto a conveyor belt, a DIAL spokesman said.

A combination of conveyor belts, bar code readers and in-line baggage sorters allows passengers to proceed straight to the check-in counter and receive their boarding pass while the baggage gets checked and assigned automatically, the spokesman said.

Any baggage which require further investigation will be removed from the in-feed by high-speed sorting conveyors and it will land at an off-line inspection area.

Only those passengers, whose baggage has been brought to inspection area, need to be present for manual inspection. This is done by calling the passenger to identify their baggage and help in further examination by the security staff, he said.

Presently, the system has been commissioned for the two of the eight rows and gradually the same will be extended to the remaining rows as well, the spokesman added.

This system will not only provide faster check-in and convenience for passengers but will provide an enhanced level of security technology, he added.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Hi-tech_inline_baggage_handling_system_installed_at_IGI/articleshow/3138904.cms)

that seems to be the Lufthansa crew in line for the security check.

are you sure? They seem to be all over the place. I remember seeing many at the int. baggage claim area in 2006.


Truly bizzare events... :nuts:

Birds, Lizards on Delhi runway; 50 flights delayed (http://www.ibnlive.com/news/birds-lizards-on-delhi-runway-50-flights-delayed/67247-3.html)
The primary runway (27/9) was unavailable for one hour after a jackal, few monitor lizards and birds were spotted, a DIAL spokesman said.

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/2812/60442784pm7.gif

Coming soon, a premium bus service to IGI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Delhi/Coming_soon_a_premium_bus_service_to_IGI/articleshow/3143611.cms)
Using public transport to reach IGI airport may soon be a whole new experience. After the metro's upcoming 20-minute line to IGI from Connaught Place, the urban development ministry along with Delhi Transport Corporation is planning a "premium" bus service to the airport, with world-class buses, lounges at waiting areas across the city and refreshments and check-in on the way.

The service was given an in-principle nod at a meeting held in the ministry on Wednesday. According to sources, the bus service, which will be jointly run by Urban Mass Transit Company - a joint venture between the ministry of urban development and IL&FS - and DTC, will target middle and upper income Delhiites.

Sources said the buses will have TV screens, music, baggage space and flight check-in facilities. All passengers will be served beverages on the way, and the staff will be well-trained and courteous.

A preliminary list of about 27 pick-up points has been prepared from where the service will operate. At each of these points, world-class waiting rooms will be constructed and a tie-up with radio cabs is being suggested for further connectivity from these points to the final destination. An online booking facility is also being looked into.

The proposal is to let UMTC arrange for the buses, their operation, maintenance and staff while DTC provides depots, terminals and permits, but the finer details are yet to be worked out.

"UMTC has been asked to work out the modalities of the scheme and discuss it with DTC, the transport department and Delhi government. The bus service was given an in-principal approval by the stakeholders and UMTC will now carry out detailed market studies to ascertain the routes, pick-up points, passenger demand, number of buses required etc," an official said.

Data compiled by the ministry of civil aviation reveals that a meagre 7.9 million passengers used the Delhi airport in 1995-96. The number had dramatically risen to more than 23 million in 2007-08. With the airline passenger load increasing at a very fast pace, and the airport renovation underway, a need was felt to tackle the jams on the road network around IGI. The main reason for the congestion, is lack of connectivity to the airport via public transport, due to which people prefer to come by private vehicles.

Thanks.

I personally feel DIAL is doing a decent job of upgrading. Atleast they have been able to get rid of that depressing, seedy 80s look. There is very little they can do about space that simply does not exist here, or near zero patience levels of some passengers (talking about that it perplexes me that people put up with extremely shoddy AAI jobs for their whole life, but the moment the project gets privatised, they expect absolute top of line treatment, no less, instantly).


Agree with you 100%. The upgrades look fantastic as well, great pics.

Some pics I recently took:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2593571298_46ac22556b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2593552718_33d21d62d5.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2593549538_b9897590f1.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2593550560_a367a35784.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2593551064_37d26476c8.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2593551554_0f7980154c.jpg

Zhiemi is that the new International Terminal in your photos?

^^ Yes, yyzhyd, I suppose it is. But isn't the new terminal going to cater to both domestic and international passengers?

Thanks for the pics Zhiemi. That's actually the extended arrival terminal for domestic ops u/c.

Ah, thanks, IU. Yeah, the pics were taken near the domestic arrival terminal.

cheers zhiemi. thanks for sharing
great update

Thanks, sn1101 :)


Today on TOI:

Capital has 170 ATCOs, needs 540

The shortage of air traffic control officers (ATCO) will have a direct bearing on the rule pertaining to the reduced minumum distance between two aircraft. The sanctioned ATCO strength in the country is 2,106 — a number that was ascertained 10 years back. Going by that figure, there are only about 1,500 ATCOs, short by at least 600. Realistically, say experts, with air traffic having increased phenomenally since then, the required strength is 4,300. At present, Delhi has a strength of 170, short by about 50 people. However, sources say that Delhi has a demand for 540 personnel, if duties are to be spread out comfortably.

The civil aviation ministry also agrees that the shortage of ATCOs is a huge problem and that AAI is not giving it a clear picture on the issue. However, with the performance based navigational system — which reduces interface between pilots and ATCOs — to be introduced in Delhi once the third runway becomes operational, it believes that the situation will not be so bad. ‘‘When the minimum separation reduces from five nautical miles to three, there will be less scope for error and more pressure on ATCOs. However, the PBN will transfer some of the load on to the system which should balance the situation,’’ said ministry officials.

As the ministry and ATCOs highlight, air traffic control suffers from attrition. ‘‘Due to low remuneration and present work environment, we are not getting anyone to join us. Promotion is based on vacancy which means that someone who joins at present for Rs 9,000 will retire at Rs 17,000. Hardly anyone is applying and AAI is unable to fill up over 300 posts,’’ said sources.

Great pics... zhiemi!!!

[QDIAL gears up to tackle monsoon
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) is leaving no stone unturned to make the monsoon season be more comfortable for the passengers this time. It has drawn up a strategy in consultation with various agencies involved at the airport that includes, providing umbrellas to passengers on the city side to renovating disused drains to solve the waterlogging problem outside the airport.

According to officials, all drains at the city side have been desilted and a new storm water drain has been constructed in front of the terminal 1Bwhere passengers earlier had to wade through ankle deep water to reach the terminal. The terminal 1B extension is being readied. Also, the water proof structure will have food, beverage counters and flight information display systems. All the roads around the terminals are being relaid and lights are being improved.

As the terminal roof-tops have been provided with tar felting to ensure water proofing, drain-pipes have been cleaned using high pressure suction and jetting machines. Over 100 specially trained customer service staff have been deployed to provide assistance to passengers.

On the airside, drains, culverts and rainwater harvesting structures have been cleaned and desilted. Six mechanised sweepers are available round the clock to clear any standing water. An emergency pavement response team has been set up to deal with any disruption to pavements or drains caused by monsoon rains. A Monsoon Task Force has been constituted and will be available for 24 hrs to respond to any emergency situation.

It's still much more than what AAI ever did

meanwhile news on the connectivity front-

Five more routes to connect Delhi airport before Games 2010 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/5_more_routes_to_connect_Delhi_airport/articleshow/3130576.cms)

NEW DELHI: With an aim to decongest traffic on roads leading to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, five new routes will be thrown open to the public before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The construction of two underpasses(not underpasses but flyovers) at Rao Tularam Marg, a separate route from Dwarka circle and a tunnel at Mahipalpur connecting from Vasant Kunj are to be constructed to link the airport on priority basis, Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran told reporters.

Besides, two more routes - a northern underpass crossing the National Highway-8 and a separate access from the international terminal to the domestic one on the southern side of the airport, would also be constructed to facilitate hassle free drive.

While the DDA would construct the underpass project at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crores, the four-lane Mahipalpur tunnel project would be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crores by the Delhi government.

The other three proposed projects are to be finalised shortly, he said adding that the routes are being planned on the recommendations of the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) which had undertaken a study on it.

Source: HT ePaper (http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=23_06_2008_002_004&mode=1)
(You may have to scroll sideways to read in full)
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9374/sweatitoutatthedelhiairzq1.jpg

Thanks for the construction pics Zhiemi. Do you or anyone else have the renders for this terminal - just to get an idea of what it might looks like when finished?

^^
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155216&postcount=516

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155669&postcount=517

Everything at DIAL is under construction these days. Their official website is under maintenance for more than 24 hours..

http://www.newdelhiairport.in

I hope something better comes up soon..

^^ The site is still down for maintenance. The existing site leaves so much to be desired. I really hope there will be a drastic improvement in form and contents, befitting that of an top class international airport (well not yet, but to be soon!) when it is back up.

Thanks for the renderings IU.

Saw that earlier - but since people kept calling it the extended arrivals for the domestic terminal - I thought this was the actual terminal building roof - According to the renders u linked up with, this is just the awning in front of the actual terminal. The terminal seems to have just a large rectangular structure with a flat roof unlike this attractive curved structure... Anyway hope it is turned out well inside...

Fliers left sweating as IGI AC units trip
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: Passengers at the international terminal of the IGI Airport had a harrowing time on Friday night after the air-conditioning at the departure side stopped working. With the heat becoming unbearable during the peak hours for international departures, the management had to resort to using pedestal fans.

According to sources, the airconditioning units failed at around 11 pm and could not be restored till the early hours of the morning. ‘‘The airport was extremely crowded during those hours. It had become quiet uncomfortable for the passengers and standing in the long immigration queues was another hassle for them. We got several complaints about the situation but there was nothing that we could do. Complaining to the management did no good either since they were not able to rectify the problem,’’ said an airline official.

With nobody available to fix the air-conditioning, Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) officials resorted to putting up pedestal fans but they were not sufficient and several passengers were seen sitting around fanning themselves. This state of affairs was confirmed by officials of several agencies but when contacted, DIAL officials denied that there was any problem with the airconditioning.

Sources also added that the airconditioning at the domestic terminal also failed for a short while on Saturday. ‘‘This has become a common feature here. The air-conditioning at the international terminal fails frequently and it is highly embarrassing when foreign passengers s****** about the abysmal state at the airport,’’ said sources within the airport.

On the other hand, airconditioning at the international departure was so strong on Saturday evening, that personnel working inside had to wear woollen clothes. ‘‘It is impossible to understand why the temperature cannot be regulated, considering that the infrastructure is actually being upgraded. One day it stops working completely and the other day it is so cold that it is difficult to work. Complaining to the management makes absolutely no difference,’’ said sources

I can understand that problems arise during the mordanizing process and day to day management but what I don't understand is the denial from DIAL , my father was witness to this air conditioning failure in person and so were many others.

I mean , is it so difficult to give out a statement saying "DIAL deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers " , is it that big a deal

Domestic Terminal u/c

photos copyright Jaipal Datta
photos dated June 26, 2008

1
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3130/delhiairportjaipaldattacr8.jpg

2
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7459/delhidomesticterminaljajf1.jpg

^^ Looks like good progress is being made here.

^^:yes:

me likey the new metal trees.....

but it looks like they are way too close to the road. is it an internal road?

but it looks like they are way too close to the road. is it an internal road?

yeah that's the terminal access road.

Budget airlines get extra space


Passengers flying with budget carriers from the Delhi Airport can now look forward to some more breathing space as they wait to board their flights. The airport operator has recently opened a new wing that can accommodate 150 passengers to ease congestion at the busy terminal.

"We have commissioned a brand new wing in the security hold area of the domestic departure Terminal 1B," said a spokesman of the private airport operator Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL).

"This wing has been opened on the Low Cost Carrier (Gate 2 and 3) side of Terminal 1B that caters to low cost airlines like Deccan, Indigo and SpiceJet," he said.

The spokesman said that the new seating area has 150 seats, which is sufficient to cater to the load of one complete flight.

"The additional seating area would be especially useful keeping in mind the extra traffic during the summer holiday season," he said. The area is also equipped with multiple flight information display systems (FIDS) and entertainment televisions.

Apart from the new wing, an extra bus gate would also be commissioned shortly, to facilitate direct outlet from the extension area to the aircraft at the airside.

"We have installed new seating systems across the airport's terminals for passenger convenience. The ergonomically designed seating has been supplied by Vitra of Switzerland - the world leaders in furnishings for public seating," he said.

DIAL has also installed more than 3,500 seats across the airport, including the international terminal.

"Seats have been designed keeping in mind the special needs of an air passenger. The aesthetics reflect a cosmopolitan theme, while the colours have been chosen to be ap pealing, without being obtrusive," he said.

As the existing domestic departure terminal, build during the second world war, is bursting at the seams, DIAL is also constructing a new interim domestic terminal next to the arrival terminal 1C.

[HT]

yeah that's the terminal access road.
thanks for the info IU

Now I am confused- Isn't the construction in the pics in post 681 supposed to come up bang in front of the interim domestic terminal which is an all glass affair as shown in the renderings posted earlier. But there seems to be no trace of construction of that building behind this structure in the picture. All I see is the old ATC and the old domestic terminal.
Is the interim on another side. Or do they still have to start on it. If so, how can they meet the Dec 2008 deadline for the interim.
Can anybody in the know please clarify.
Thanks in advance.

Now I am confused- Isn't the construction in the pics in post 681 supposed to come up bang in front of the interim domestic terminal which is an all glass affair as shown in the renderings posted earlier. But there seems to be no trace of construction of that building behind this structure in the picture. All I see is the old ATC and the old domestic terminal.
Is the interim on another side. Or do they still have to start on it. If so, how can they meet the Dec 2008 deadline for the interim.
Can anybody in the know please clarify.
Thanks in advance.

The pictures that you saw in post #681 by sun city is the new interim terminal building which is called 1C and is coming up right next to 1B (this is the one which will be done by OCT).

I don't know which glass structure you are referring too , it could be the extended arrival terminal or the u/c massive T3 building which could be getting mixed up.

The pictures pretty clear right now - there are 2 departure terminals (domestic ) i.e 1A and 1B with 1C under construction , one domestic arrival terminal which is being expanded .

The pictures that you saw in post #681 by sun city is the new interim terminal building which is called 1C and is coming up right next to 1B (this is the one which will be done by OCT).

I don't know which glass structure you are referring too , it could be the extended arrival terminal or the u/c massive T3 building which could be getting mixed up.

The pictures pretty clear right now - there are 2 departure terminals (domestic ) i.e 1A and 1B with 1C under construction , one domestic arrival terminal which is being expanded .

Thanks for the reply.

Actually what I understand from the renderings in

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155216&postcount=516
and
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155669&postcount=517

is that the canopy like structure that is shown coming up in the pics that you posted, is actually the drop-off area in front of the glassy terminal building as in the renders. Also opposite to it is the new multi-storied car park which I was told earlier would not meet the year end deadline.
So what I wanted to know was whether the glass terminal building in the renders is the upcoming interim domestic terminal. Believe me , I am not confusing this with T3.

Thanks for the reply.

Actually what I understand from the renderings in

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155216&postcount=516
and
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155669&postcount=517

is that the canopy like structure that is shown coming up in the pics that you posted, is actually the drop-off area in front of the glassy terminal building as in the renders. Also opposite to it is the new multi-storied car park which I was told earlier would not meet the year end deadline.
So what I wanted to know was whether the glass terminal building in the renders is the upcoming interim domestic terminal. Believe me , I am not confusing this with T3.


Good point.

From http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155216&postcount=516 we have this:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1241/getimagete1.jpg


Here is another one from an earlier post

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=17947900&postcount=418

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6824/10092007501004010ac1.jpg

So which one is it?

Good updates sun!!!

Castlerock, Suncity - There are 4 major structures u/c at the airport at the moment.

1. T3
2. Multilevel parking lot
3. T1D - the interim departure terminal which will later become the LCC terminal
4. T1B - the arrivals (1c) is being expanded right now and will be known as 1b later.

Now T1D and T1B lie next to each other and have been both designed by HC so their appearance resembles a lot due to the tree like pillars which can confuse people. In the DIAL plan posted by Suncity, the terminal names have been mixed up or atleast that's not what they are going to be called from now on.

T1D is #3 in the plan - the multilevel departure terminal will be ready only by the end of the year.Suncity had recently posted an image of it here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=21527805&postcount=637). Renders of it can be found here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11727447&postcount=227) and here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14015804&postcount=302)

T1B is #7 in that plan and as you see is located right infront of the multilevel parking lot. The recent images posted by Zheimi and Suncity show it u/c. This should be ready within the next 2-3 months. Renders of it can be found here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155216&postcount=516)and here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19155669&postcount=517)


But there seems to be no trace of construction of that building behind this structure in the picture.

I believe that the building at the back was earlier used for other purposes. Now they've refurbished it and if we go by the renders, the facade will have glass on it.

ABB wins Rs312 cr power order for Delhi Airport (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=41205)

ABB India, the Bangalore-based power and automation technologies provider has bagged an order worth Rs 312 crore for supply of electrical infrastructure for the India Gandhi International (IGI) airport's new terminal (T3) under construction.

The order includes design, supply and commissioning of electrical products 11 kv panels, distribution transformer in addition to cables, wires and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.

Renovated international terminal ready for use


Renovation of the international terminal of Delhi Airport, which witnessed huge congestion and chaos in the process, is finally over. The airport operator promises reduced congestion and better facilities for passengers from now on but some nagging problems do remain.

The modernisation work had constricted space at the terminal 2 of Indira Gandhi International Airport and the resultant serpentine queues had meant that many passengers were missing their flights. Private airport operator Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) assured that it would be a thing of past now. "The entry points to the departure terminal have been doubled from four to eight to tackle congestion," a DIAL spokesman said.


http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/839/t1zi4.jpg

Immigration counters, the second and biggest bottleneck at the airport, is also witnessing some improvement. The number of counters has gone up to 52 but there was a dearth of immigration officials. Sources at the airport said that a new batch of officials have recently joined, which should take care of the problem. Number of check-in counters has increased from 78 to 100.

Also, DIAL recently introduced in-line baggage handling system that promises to eliminate the process of getting one's luggage Xrayed before check-in. "The security hold area too has been expanded and additional seating pro- vided," the spokesman said. The number of aerobridges still remains low but DIAL has renovated them.

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/632/t2ha2.jpg

The problem of a crowded departure ramp, however, remains and would still take a lot of time to be de-congested. DIAL has widened the ramp and deployed traffic marshals, free luggage porters and customer care executives but segregation of buses, the major cause of traffic chaos, from the other vehicles can only take place when adequate lifts are installed at ground level to shift buses there.

The approach road to IGIA, which remains choc-a-bloc with traffic at peak hours, is receiving a facelift, DIAL said. "Roads and pathways, lighting, landscaping and signage works are being improved," he said.

Ineffective air-conditioning remains a recurrent problem at the international airport, according to sources. "Air-conditioning is being measured at 10 different locations regularly and there is no problem anymore," the spokesman said.

At the arrival area, 10 new immigration counters have been opened and baggage reclaim belts have been modernised, he claimed. "We have also introduced more comfortable and ergonomic seating systems," he said.

[HT]

Renovated international terminal ready for use



[HT]

Do some of our reporters know what they are writing about? They are showing check-in counters and calling them immigration ones.

^^ Maybe you need to read more carefully. They have never called those immigration counters. The picture just shows the check in counters which have been increased in number too.

^^ Maybe you need to read more carefully. They have never called those immigration counters. The picture just shows the check in counters which have been increased in number too.

I was referring to the caption of the 2nd picture.

I was referring to the caption of the 2nd picture.

Guys.. just a cynical thought coming from the wrongly captioned pic ;) Why not introduce Immigration and Check-In in one go? Never been done before.. true the idea seems ridiculous but it's not totally UNIMAGINABLE.

Over to you for your thoughts on this.

Cheers
P2P4

immigration is by the government, check-in by private companies. can you combine the two?

immigration is by the government, check-in by private companies. can you combine the two?

I think you can. I believe the US does this, only for departures though. I used to fly out of Denver International Airport regularly. The passport check usually happened at check in. The airlines took the responsibility of doing proper verification of papers, visas etc.

Now, it is an entirely different problem in India.

Castlerock, Suncity - There are 4 major structures u/c at the airport at the moment.



Thanks for the explanation.

:)

I think you can. I believe the US does this, only for departures though. I used to fly out of Denver International Airport regularly. The passport check usually happened at check in. The airlines took the responsibility of doing proper verification of papers, visas etc.

Now, it is an entirely different problem in India.

Yes, in the US for departures - immigration (basically passport and visa check) is done by the airline staff at the airline checkin counters and a second time before boarding the aircraft at the gate counter.

In India, the airline staff do all the above. Then you have the immigration giving the exit stamp and then there is a customs officer who may ask what amount of money you are taking out and then at the boarding gate there maybe another round of passport visa check.

What is interesting is that a bloated government claims that it is understaffed and doesn't have enough immigration officers (or customs officers or security services). Why not hire more people in the right places? That will cost money for sure, but then people are paying for these services.

I think you can. I believe the US does this, only for departures though. I used to fly out of Denver International Airport regularly. The passport check usually happened at check in. The airlines took the responsibility of doing proper verification of papers, visas etc.

Now, it is an entirely different problem in India.

in most countries when you are departing they only need to know whether you have a visa to enter the country you are flying to so that you are not deported back. immigration only really cares about, surprisingly, immigration, not emigration

in india the government needs to know if you have a visa, do a sarkari stamp on your passport to certify you have departed, see if you have an ECNR or not (one of the most pointless things ever), how much money are you carrying, whats your family size, what did you have for breakfast in the morning and the score of the last india-pakistan match

in most countries when you are departing they only need to know whether you have a visa to enter the country you are flying to so that you are not deported back. immigration only really cares about, surprisingly, immigration, not emigration

in india the government needs to know if you have a visa, do a sarkari stamp on your passport to certify you have departed, see if you have an ECNR or not (one of the most pointless things ever), how much money are you carrying,

:lol:

in most countries when you are departing they only need to know whether you have a visa to enter the country you are flying to so that you are not deported back. immigration only really cares about, surprisingly, immigration, not emigration

in india the government needs to know if you have a visa, do a sarkari stamp on your passport to certify you have departed, see if you have an ECNR or not (one of the most pointless things ever), how much money are you carrying, whats your family size, what did you have for breakfast in the morning and the score of the last india-pakistan match

:lol::lol: :nuts::nuts: :ohno::ohno:

Having seen and filled the arrival forms of so many countries, I have never been able to understand the point behind the meaningless data collected by our govt for both arrivals and departures, esp departures, and even for Indians. As a foreigner, I haven't had a need to fill up a departure form for most countries.

deleted

:lol::lol: :nuts::nuts: :ohno::ohno:

Having seen and filled the arrival forms of so many countries, I have never been able to understand the point behind the meaningless data collected by our govt for both arrivals and departures, esp departures, and even for Indians. As a foreigner, I haven't had a need to fill up a departure form for most countries.

U should come to US....They love paperwork here......It Starts with the pink, yellow and blue forms at the immigration (most have to fill up 2 which 2 God only knows)...and then the hour long queues at the lines for foreign nationals, at the end of which u miss the connection flight as every airline from India flies to JFK or EWR......total mess....airline travel in this country is a pain.....even if u make it in one piece to the final destination, chances are that ur luggage is still in JFK or has gone to Houston, Tennessee, instead of Houston, Texas.....for that u have to fill another form, the color varies from airline to airline!!

<<Originally Posted by IndiansUnite View Post
Castlerock, Suncity - There are 4 major structures u/c at the airport at the moment.>>

Thanks for clearing that up about the DIAL construction plans

U should come to US....They love paperwork here......It Starts with the pink, yellow and blue forms at the immigration (most have to fill up 2 which 2 God only knows)...and then the hour long queues at the lines for foreign nationals, at the end of which u miss the connection flight as every airline from India flies to JFK or EWR......total mess....airline travel in this country is a pain.....even if u make it in one piece to the final destination, chances are that ur luggage is still in JFK or has gone to Houston, Tennessee, instead of Houston, Texas.....for that u have to fill another form, the color varies from airline to airline!!

Just become a citizen and you'll just fill out one Customs form. ;)

I didn't realize non-citizens had so much more paperwork. I don't recall some of my cousins complaining about anything. I see most people on the plane filling out just two forms.

I landed in Delhi 2 days ago and the international terminal interiors (as expected) have greatly improved since I was last there in 2006. Waiting in the immigration line wasn't a pain even with the 400+ other people that were in my flight. I was in it for about 5 mins and I got my passport stamped in abt 1 minute. I retrieved my luggage in another 5 minutes and was out of the terminal. Outside there were 4-5 cranes working at the T3 site and the terminal access road was lined with the airport express rail barricades.

I'll post some pics later.

^^cool!
have fun in delhi dude!

Just become a citizen and you'll just fill out one Customs form. ;)

I didn't realize non-citizens had so much more paperwork. I don't recall some of my cousins complaining about anything. I see most people on the plane filling out just two forms.

that is what I said, 2 forms. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, UAE have no forms!!!! Maybe because they are so much focused on tourism!!

Siemens bags Rs 300-cr baggage handling contract from DIAL

Siemens Mobility Division (Siemens AG) along with Siemens Limited has bagged a Rs 300-crore contract from the Delhi International Airport Limited for terminal baggage system at the Delhi Airport.

"The baggage system that we are providing at the international airport is the biggest in India and is at par with the best in the world. This prestigious project provides us yet another opportunity to bring the best-in-class technology for the aviation sector in India," Siemens Limited's Managing Director, Armin Bruck, said in a press statement here today.

The project is scheduled to be commissioned by March 2010, around the same time when the new terminal 3 is to be completed. In future, bags can be handed in at 168 check-in-desks at the departure level of the terminal, which covers an area of 5,20,000 sq mtrs, the release said.

There will be five desks available for over-sized luggage.

The sorting system has been designed for a capacity of over 11,300 bags per hour and has a total length of almost 13 kilometers. For this purpose, tilt-tray sorters as well as vertical sorters and high-speed diverters will be used, the release said.

According to IATA estimates, the number of air-passengers in India is expected to grow by an average 8.6 per cent year upto 2011, which will make India one of the 10 countries with the highest growth rates in terms of passengers.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/Siemens_bags_contract_from_DIAL/articleshow/3208088.cms)

I landed in Delhi 2 days ago and the international terminal interiors (as expected) have greatly improved since I was last there in 2006. Waiting in the immigration line wasn't a pain even with the 400+ other people that were in my flight. I was in it for about 5 mins and I got my passport stamped in abt 1 minute. I retrieved my luggage in another 5 minutes and was out of the terminal. Outside there were 4-5 cranes working at the T3 site and the terminal access road was lined with the airport express rail barricades.

I'll post some pics later.

Delighted to hear that immigration waiting times have vastly improved. It was a total wreck a few months back. Eagerly awaiting your pics:)

Yes, even 8 years ago, Delhi was notorious for its security and immigration lines. GMR delivered it in HIAL and one can expect them to do a good job in Delhi too !

I was watching recently a documentary on Discovery on Beijing's BCIA T3, and it said ( if I remember correctly ) that the length of the arrival (city side) concourse was 800 mts. Was curious as to what it would be like for Delhi T3. Could not find any dimensions ( or the full masterplan for that matter). For a ball park estimate, I measured it with a Google scale on the superimposed plan provided by IU on page 27, and it comes to be around 300 mts.

On a different note, good that Siemens has bagged the inline baggage system for IGI T3, they designed it for BCIA too ( about 19000 pieces per hour), and their chap was bragging that the system was a bigger marvel than the terminal building

^ ^ the final design planned for 2026 is posted in this thread. if you want you can go back and look.
we have a long way to go before we catchup with China.

^ ^ the final design planned for 2026 is posted in this thread. .

I have not found terminal building dimensions mentioned anywhere (only its area is given). Do share if you have them. Thks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCv8uQERoVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cWDraMsvCU&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7px591gu3OA

Does anybody know what is going on? Also, which terminal is this? Doesn't look like the domestic Jet Airways terminal.

^ ^ the final design planned for 2026 is posted in this thread. if you want you can go back and look.
we have a long way to go before we catchup with China.

Indrajal,

That is only as far as the design of the airport and associated facilities is concerned.

But that is small part of total airport experience. You only experience it for a little time when your flight is either landing or taking off. Otherwise you are either in an aerobridge or inside the airport and what matters there is the main bread and butter of a traveler's airport experience.

On these more than significant matters we can only lag behind china or for that matter any other place only if we are negligent or our duties. We should always strive to beat any other country including china on these important factors. That should be motivation on all Indian airports.


People will always remember your airport for how convenient it was inside and to get away from there to wherever they wanted to [connecting flight, train, or going out in the host city etc..].

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCv8uQERoVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cWDraMsvCU&NR=1
Yes, it's impressive indeed.
Btw, this is an old video and has been shared on this forum a long time back.

A smooth walk for passengers

A smooth walk for passengers

Mail Today, New Delhi, June 30, 2008


ONCE THE renovation of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is complete, passengers won’t have to walk from the will terminal to their aircraft - Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is installing travelators at the newly constructed terminal three (T3).

The travelators, also known as walkalators, will take passengers to the aerobridges from where they will board the aircraft. Passengers can take the walkalator after getting Immigration clearance, security check and boarding pass. “IGI will be the first airport in India to feature travelators. The terminal, along with its boarding plers, will measure 1.5 km from end to end. T3 will have 74 aerobridges, among the highest in the world for a single terminal. The terminal will have a footprint of 20 acres and more than 5 million sq ft of floor space,” said a DIAL official. “There be 74 aerobridges at the new airport. Suppose your aircraft is at aerobridge number 70, then you’d have to walk a long way. That’s why we are installing - walkalators,” the official said

Travelator is a conveyor belt that transport people. The walkways are supplied in pairs, one for each direction. “To facilitate smoother movement of passengers, we are installing about 90 travelators, in addition to the elevators and escalators,” the official said.

The other facilities atT3 include a five level in-line baggage handling system with an explosive detection technology.

INDIAN AIR FARCE - As always, DIAL misses runway deadline again (http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=09_07_2008_004_005&kword=&mode=1)

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6536/01asalwaysdialmissesrunvm0.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8457/02asalwaysdialmissesruncc1.jpg

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Delhi_is_countrys_busiest_airport/articleshow/3216435.cms

Delhi overtakes Mumbai to become the busiest in India. Excellent!, but I wonder how it will pan out in the winter though, fog mixed with heavy traffic; but I guess the new runway with CAT III B landing system should ease the situation. But, the report in the link contradicts the post immediately above which says that flight movements have come down to 625.

that is what I said, 2 forms. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, UAE have no forms!!!! Maybe because they are so much focused on tourism!!

Killer - To land in Singapore, you still need to fill a white detacheable form - unless you have an 'IC'.

Regds
p2p4

Killer - To land in Singapore, you still need to fill a white detacheable form - unless you have an 'IC'.

Regds
p2p4

I definitely remember that they had candies for passengers there at the immigration and they asked me if I had any chewing gum with me!!

Deleted. Sorry.

INDIAN AIR FARCE - As always, DIAL misses runway deadline again (http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=09_07_2008_004_005&kword=&mode=1)

Yes Private guyz always delay things. Govt Authorities does things very much on time.

Ajay, you are confusing issues. This is akin to saying that I stepped on crap, but its all good because you step on crap too.

The point is not to compare the two, but its of expectations. If a private firm which has taken over a prestigious project from the government but is still unable to meet certain expectations, it must still be held accountable to a certain degree. After all, accountability and transparency are some of the perceived notions of the private sector, aint it?

Now, this is not for the DIAL, they have a very difficult job at hand, and when they take over a mess which has to be turned into something world class in such a small time, then there will be lots of inconveniences for people to bear. There are lots of historical issues in construction and design that DIAL has to deal with. I would rather they take a few extra months and get it right the first time than give us a faulty product at the deadline.

Yes Private guyz always delay things. Govt Authorities does things very much on time.

Did you meant to write the opposite? Since when has government done anything on time (barring DMRC) :nuts::lol:

Did you meant to write the opposite? Since when has government done anything on time (barring DMRC) :nuts::lol:

ajay was being sarcastic I think , in reply to another person.

DIAL's ultimate deadline remains Mid - 2010 to do a complete overhaul and I'm confident that they'll do it , DMRC with it's record is bound to complete the express link on time.

Proper work always scores over on time work , If one must be chosen and runway is something with which no chances should be taken

News item in TOI. Good that somebody is thinking ahead.

Plan for 3 tunnel roads to IGI
14 Jul 2008, 0227 hrs IST, Dipak Kumar Dash,TNN


NEW DELHI: If an ambitious plan for easier access to IGI gets the nod, the fastest links to the airport for private vehicles could run below the surface. According to proposals of the Union ministry of urban development, four new roads to the airport are to be built, three of them underground.

Among the proposals is a tunnel between Vasant Kunj and the airport that will bypass the traffic intersection at Mahipalpur. According to NHAI officials, since the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway’s foundation goes as deep as 20 metres, the tunnel will cross the expressway at least 30 metres below the ground. The Delhi PWD is reportedly carrying out a feasibility study.

The proposals aim to ensure smoother traffic flow to the international airport by 2010, take the unexpectedly high vehicular load off the expressway and to decongest the existing links to the airport.

According to estimates, the daily traffic flow at the domestic and international airports is approximately 60,000 passengers and it is expected to reach one lakh by 2010. "If the entire traffic comes on to the expressway, the situation would be nightmarish. As of now there is no other option but to take the expressway," said a ministry official.

Second proposal includes underpass to IGI Airport

NEW DELHI: The second proposal for a smooth passage to IGI Airport is to create an underpass for light vehicles from Shankar Vihar - situated between Palam crossing and Mahipalpur - to the airport. This will enable cars, two-wheelers and three-wheelers coming from RTR-Palam side to avoid coming all the way to Radisson crossing to take the airport road. The underpass will open on the airport side and a parallel link would run along NH-8 up to Mahipalpur crossing and would finally join the spinal road of the airport.

Another plan is to provide access to the airport for the traffic coming from Dwarka. As per the proposal an underground link would be provided for vehicles coming from Dwarka.

According to the last proposal, an underground service road would be constructed along the expressway (opposite Shiv Murti) for the traffic flowing from Dwarka, which takes the Kapashera road. The underground road will join the grid at Mahipalpur crossing and provide direct access to the spine road.

A senior NHAI official said a tripartite agreement between NHAI, Delhi and Haryana governments, restricts the construction of any alternate road or links that would affect the revenue of the toll road. "All these links have to get a go ahead from NHAI since these will pass through the existing expressway. The concessionaire has to be compensated for the revenue loss due to these accesses. But these can be worked out," he said.

The officer added that a few rounds of talks have already been held among the authorities concerned and the prospects of these proposals getting through are high.

Another official pointed out that the projected traffic volumes are such that there’s no way but to build the proposed accesses. “As such the expressway is not meant for local traffic. So, to maintain smooth traffic flow we have to create new links and access to major destinations. These plans have to be implemented to ensure that the traffic flow is smooth. Any more delay will make things worse," he pointed out.

The defence ministry and AAI have to give their land for these proposed accesses. Sources in the urban development ministry said that initial talks for acquiring the land have begun.

dipak.dash@timesgroup.com

Further development on the access roads ...

Urban ministry gives green signal to airport link roads (http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=16_07_2008_007_006&kword=&mode=1)THE UNION Urban Development Ministry (UDM) has finally set the ball rolling on the five new road link projects around the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, which will not only help decongest traffic on roads leading to the airport but also make it more accessible.

At a meeting chaired by Union UD secretary M. Ramachandran on Tuesday it decided that the western link comprising of flyover/ underpass, which will link the traffic coming from areas like Janakpuri to the northern part of the airport via Dwarka will be constructed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Besides Ramachandran, the meeting was also attended by Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta, senior officials of UD Ministry, NHAI and DDA.

"It was decided that DDA would prepare all the requisite plans for the western link project and will get it cleared by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC)," said M. Ramachandran, Union UD secretary.

The Ministry has also asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to inform it within a week on whether it would be able to construct the underpass at Rao Tula Ram Marg, which will connect the traffic coming from Dhaula Kuan and Outer Ring Road to the airport. "If NHAI does not do it, we will have to decide on some other agency which can implement the project," the official said.

Besides, the Delhi government has informed the ministry that it is carrying out a survey of two lane twin tunnel link below Mahipalpur village. "Delhi government will complete the survey by August after which it wm float tenders for the project After work starts, the project will be completed between 18 to 24 months," said Ramachandran.

A decision however, is yet to be taken on the agency, which will implement the proposed access roads to the southern and northern side of the airport to ease traffic. Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta said he was going to lead a team of experts on Wednesday for an inspection of the area.

Court fumes at PILs on airport (http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=17_07_2008_007_013&kword=&mode=1)
EXPRESSING ITS concern over a chain of PILs being filed, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it did not wield a magic wand to cure all social maladies by issuing "directions after directions".

Chief Justice AP Shah and Justice S Muralidhar said, while issuing directions to any institution, the practicality on the part of that institution had to be taken into account.

"What if we are faced with a direction to clear the backlog of 79,000 cases in the Delhi High Court within six months? Is it possible?" Justice Shah asked a petitioner in a PIL that sought a direction to the IGl airport and the domestic airport to take time-bound steps to remove air and ground congestion.

"So each authority must be first allowed to function at its pace." The PIL sought a direction for an additional runway, taxiways and bays at the international and domestic airports in addition to other infrastructure in order to eliminate congestion in the air and on ground.

The petitioner and lawyer, Anoop Bagai, told the high court bench that passengers were facing an immense hardship because of delays caused by congestion. He added that the existing airport was choked, which made delays a routine. But the bench answered that there was "precious little" it could do. "How can we give directions on this issue when we know that the authorities are constantly working on it?" the bench asked, adding that modernisation is a very complex issue involving policy decisions.

Justice Shah said there was a limit to the court using its powers under Article 226 of the constitution (to issue directions or orders to enforce rights) while entertaining PILS. However, during the hearing of the PIL, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said it will have a third runway very soon after having acknowledged that the second runway had not been very effective in windy and foggy weather

The counsel for DIAL said around 90 per cent of the work on the third runway, which will be commissioned this year, had been completed.

Bagai's PIL last year had resulted in a high court bench venting its ire on the congestion charges of Rs 150 per ticket imposed on the hapless passengers.

The court had asked the Civil Aviation Ministry why the burden, which was the result of the government's failure to upgrade the infrastructure, had been shifted to passengers.

Following the decision, the Directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) had written to the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) to withdraw the congestion surcharge.

Posting it in Delhi airports thread as it's basically concerning the functioning of the Delhi airport.

I hope the new terminal of Delhi doesnt perform as Heathrow Terminal 5.....

Boarding in half-an-hour at Delhi airport: DIAL

New Delhi, July 18: The long wait at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to get into the aircraft could soon be passe as arrangements are being made to facilitate fliers to board the plane in 30 minutes.

"We are in the process of making the system as easy and less time consuming for the passengers from the time they alight from their cars to the last security check counter in about 30 minutes," Chief Operating Officer of Delhi International Airport Limited Andrew Harrison on Friday said.

Highlighting the steps taken by DIAL, he said, more space has been created in the departure check-in area along with more immigration counters and the introduction of level three in-line baggage clearing system.

The Airport Authority of India and DIAL have undertaken a 'Time and Motion Study' and found that a passenger now takes only 14 minutes from the time he alights to getting through all security checks including immigration.

"I would not like to believe this as the standard because currently it is a lean season. I want to see how things work during peak season. World over, the best acceptable time is 40 minutes and our target is to do it in 30 minutes," Harrison said.

Zeenews

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8924/19072008003011wz6.jpg

^^^^
very cool

More pics from DIAL - Renovated International Terminal T2

http://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big1.jpghttp://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big2.jpg

http://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big3.jpghttp://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big4.jpg

http://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big5.jpghttp://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big6.jpg

http://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big7.jpghttp://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big8.jpg

http://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big9.jpghttp://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big10.jpg

http://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big11.jpghttp://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big12.jpg

http://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big13.jpghttp://newdelhiairport.in/images/Terminal2/T2-big7.jpg

Whoa!:cheers:

Very impressive redo. Hope the people appreciate the effort and wait for DIAL to become truly impressive, in a few short years. Kudos to GMR.

self deleted... double post of the pics above

dang ramkan... you beat me by secods :(

dang ramkan... you beat me by secods :(

So take out the double post....will you.
:)

T2 looks cool now....good job GMR.

So take out the double post....will you.
:)

T2 looks cool now....good job GMR.

i will.. but i will let it be there for few hours for my dil ka chain... i was very excited you know :ohno:

Thankx for posting pix. After T3 this will be used by Domestic/LCC? Is work on domestic arrival/departure terminal is over?

i will.. but i will let it be there for few hours for my dil ka chain... i was very excited you know :ohno:

:tongue4::lol:

Looks fanstastic!

Brilliant work by the GMR and it's the least which the frequent fliers deserved after months of pain. I was actually wondering why DIAL had not released these pictures earlier.

Don't really expect any such changes in Terminal 1B as it is set for demolition in less than 2 years from now but RGIA and now this work has certainly raised expectations

Excellent job GMR ... u did it again ... and i believe this time in DIAL it's all Made in India ... RGIA had Malaysia and other foreign partners ... very nice job ...

very hopeful on int'l class T3 ... lets see how it goes ...