If all goes according to plan, by the end of 2027, travelling between Terminal 3 (T3) and Terminal 1 (T1) at Delhi Airport will be significantly easier. Thanks to an upcoming air train or the Automated People Mover (APM).
If reports are to go by, to put this plan into action, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has issued a tender for building this much-anticipated project, which will include four stops: T2/3, T1, Aerocity, and Cargo City. This project will be covering a 7.7 km route, and will eliminate the need for reliance on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for terminal transfers.
To provide more clarity on this matter, sources also said that GMR-backed DIAL will start accepting bids for the project in October-November 2024. The winning bid will need to have all elements like cost-effectiveness, with bidders proposing revenue-sharing models or seeking viability gap funding. And after things get finalised covering all the aspects, the contract will be awarded before the end of the fiscal year. Sources are hopeful that the construction will likely be completed by the end of 2027, as the said timeline has also been communicated to the Union Aviation Ministry, to ensure that the project stays on track.
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For such bidding the development of an advanced state-of-the-art APM system has been summarised. It will use the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model when the flight becomes operational. It will guarantee hassle-free travel and reliable connectivity between T1 and T3/2, which will definitely improve the overall passenger comfort and efficiency of the airport.
Not only this, this will also significantly contribute to reducing the carbon footprint, thereby helping Delhi Airport improve its Airport Service Quality (ASQ) score.
In previous discussions, the government emphasised that no development fees would be levied on passengers to fund the project before its completion. While the exact cost of the air train is yet to be determined by the bidders, estimates suggest it could be around ₹2,000 crore. Initially, DIAL had proposed six stops for the air train. However, the government requested a reduction to four stops to minimise transit time between T1 and T3/2, as more stops would increase both travel time and the need for security at non-terminal stations.
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Delhi Airport currently handles over 70 million passengers annually, which will likely increase to more than 130 million over the next 6-8 years. A significant percentage of these passengers are expected to be transit flyers, which will make the air train essential for smooth terminal transfers. As per the global standards, air trains are usually free for passengers, and it’s likely that Delhi will also follow suit, wherein costs will be recovered through aeronautical charges and User Development Fees (UDF), as seen in other airports like Mumbai.
