Delhi airport to launch India’s first air train connecting Terminals 1, T2, T3

26 Sep 2024 CW Team

India is set to introduce its first air train connecting Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 on one side with Terminal 1 on the other at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi by the end of 2027.

Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has issued a tender to construct an Automated People Mover (APM) that will feature four stops: T2/3, T1, Aerocity, and Cargo City.

The alignment for the 7.7 km route has been provided by GMR-backed DIAL. Once completed, travellers will no longer have to rely on DTC buses to navigate the distance between these two terminals. Bids for the project will be accepted in October and November. The selection of the winning bidder will depend on the costs quoted by various parties, along with their proposals for a revenue-sharing model or requests for viability gap funding.

Sources mentioned that if everything proceeds smoothly, a contract is expected to be awarded before the end of the fiscal year. Construction is targeted to be completed by the end of calendar year 2027, as communicated to the Union aviation ministry by DIAL.

The tender document outlines that DIAL plans to implement an elevated and at-grade APM system at Delhi International Airport under a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model. The APM system is designed to provide reliable, fast, and seamless connectivity between T1 and T3/2, covering a route length of approximately 7.7 km via Aerocity and Cargo City. Besides enhancing connectivity between terminals, the APM system aims to improve passenger convenience, boost the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) score, and reduce the carbon footprint.

The aviation ministry under the Modi 2.0 government has indicated that it will not permit the imposition of any development fees to finance this project until it is operational.

While the exact cost of the train remains undetermined, sources suggest it may be under Rs 20 billion, pending evaluation and quotations from bidders. The government had previously instructed DIAL to scrap the proposal for six stops, citing concerns that it would lead to longer travel times between T1 and T2/3. A senior government official remarked last November that DIAL’s model, which included numerous stops, would not only increase travel time but also necessitate stringent security measures at the non-terminal stops.

India is set to introduce its first air train connecting Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 on one side with Terminal 1 on the other at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi by the end of 2027. Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has issued a tender to construct an Automated People Mover (APM) that will feature four stops: T2/3, T1, Aerocity, and Cargo City. The alignment for the 7.7 km route has been provided by GMR-backed DIAL. Once completed, travellers will no longer have to rely on DTC buses to navigate the distance between these two terminals. Bids for the project will be accepted in October and November. The selection of the winning bidder will depend on the costs quoted by various parties, along with their proposals for a revenue-sharing model or requests for viability gap funding. Sources mentioned that if everything proceeds smoothly, a contract is expected to be awarded before the end of the fiscal year. Construction is targeted to be completed by the end of calendar year 2027, as communicated to the Union aviation ministry by DIAL. The tender document outlines that DIAL plans to implement an elevated and at-grade APM system at Delhi International Airport under a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model. The APM system is designed to provide reliable, fast, and seamless connectivity between T1 and T3/2, covering a route length of approximately 7.7 km via Aerocity and Cargo City. Besides enhancing connectivity between terminals, the APM system aims to improve passenger convenience, boost the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) score, and reduce the carbon footprint. The aviation ministry under the Modi 2.0 government has indicated that it will not permit the imposition of any development fees to finance this project until it is operational. While the exact cost of the train remains undetermined, sources suggest it may be under Rs 20 billion, pending evaluation and quotations from bidders. The government had previously instructed DIAL to scrap the proposal for six stops, citing concerns that it would lead to longer travel times between T1 and T2/3. A senior government official remarked last November that DIAL’s model, which included numerous stops, would not only increase travel time but also necessitate stringent security measures at the non-terminal stops.

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..