INAUGURATED BY PM MODI With double capacity, Delhi airport unveils expanded T1

 

INDIRA GANDHI International Airport’s expanded Terminal 1 can now handle 40 million passengers annually, double its previous capacity of 17 million passengers per year. The revamped terminal was inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday; he also inaugurated 12 other airports and laid the foundation stones for 4 airports across India. 

The Prime Minister attended the inauguration through a live link from Azamgarh. “Today, projects worth about Rs 34,000 crore have been inaugurated and foundation stones laid in many states from Azamgarh. Along with Azamgarh, new terminal buildings have been inaugurated at many airports including Shravas ti, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, Aligarh, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Lucknow, Pune, Kolhapur, Delhi and A dampur... All these efforts will make air travel more comfortable and accessible for the common man of the country,” said the Prime Minister. 

The inauguration was attended by Delhi L-G VK Saxena and Minister of State for Civil Aviation General VK Singh. According to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) sources, with all its three terminals combined, IGIA can now handle over 100 million passengers per year  making it one of the few worldwide with this passenger capacity. Additionally, the expansion extends the areaof the airport from 55,740 sqm to a whopping 2,06,950 sqm. Completed at a cost of Rs 4,600 crore, the expanded terminal will be ready for use in the next two months, said sources.

What passengers can expect 

a Facial Recognition System  Digi Yatra at all its 24 entry gates; 20automated tray retrieval systems; and individual carrier systems. An individual carrier system divides the luggage carousel into cells where baggage can be placed to reduce damage to the luggage and jams at the belt. 

The expanded terminal will have 108 common usage self service kiosks where passengers can checkinwithout the help of ground staff. Further, there are 100 check-in counters with 36 shopping and dining options, designated prayer area, yoga space, quiet zones, lounges, communal seating areas, charging stations for laptops and mobile devices, facilities for baby care, and smart washrooms The expansion was part of Delhi Airport’s Phase 3A Expansion project which also saw the airport develop a fourth runway along the dual elevated eastern cross taxiway; the refurbishment of its British-era first runway; construction of two fly- overs; and modifications at T3.