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.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

Infrastructure Urban

08 May 2026

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Infrastructure Transport

08 May 2026

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..