Expanded Tunnel Road Under Runway Could Ease IGIA Terminal Transfers
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

Expanded Tunnel Road Under Runway Could Ease IGIA Terminal Transfers

Delhi International Airport (DIAL), which manages Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), has proposed to widen the only tunnel-road-under-a-runway in India. This initiative is part of a broader plan aimed at easing the 7km commute between Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminals 3/2, making the journey smoother for transit passengers.

With T1 set to handle four crore passengers annually starting this summer, the volume of transit traffic is expected to surge significantly. To manage this increase, DIAL has put forward a plan to build a Y-shaped flyover connecting the Northern Access Road to roads leading to Dwarka, Dhaula Kuan, and Vasant Vihar.

The proposal includes widening the existing 6-lane tunnel road (three lanes in each direction) by adding an additional 6-lane underpass section. The flyover will ensure seamless travel between T1 and T3, bypassing the currently congested NSG junction. To support the rising vehicular traffic, the Northern Access Road linking the two terminals will also need to be widened.

The estimated cost for this project is between Rs 3-3.50 billion. DIAL has sought assistance from both the Delhi and central governments, as the road falls under the state's Public Works Department (PWD). A person familiar with the development mentioned, “It is proposed that the state contribute 20 per cent of the funds through the Centre’s urban development fund, with 80 per cent from the Centre.” The request has been submitted to both governments.

In August 2023, the LG’s office urged the state government to take “appropriate action” on these proposals, which are crucial for improving connectivity to IGIA. IGIA handled eight crore passengers in 2024, and once Terminal 2 (T2) is demolished, the airport’s peak capacity could reach 14 crore passengers annually in the near future.

Several years ago, the Centre directed DIAL to conduct a detailed traffic study to ensure congestion-free connectivity to IGIA, taking into account future traffic volumes up to 2034. DIAL subsequently appointed Japanese consultant Nippon Koei, which recommended the Y-shaped flyover and expanded Northern Access Road as top priorities.

Currently, IGIA is one of the busiest airports in the world, with terminals that are not connected by an automated people mover, unlike other global hubs. A proposed air train linking T3/2, T1, Aerocity, and the cargo city was delayed due to COVID-19 and is still expected to take 3-4 years to materialize.

The deadline for submitting proposals for this project is reportedly by the end of February. DIAL plans to implement an elevated and at-grade automated people mover system at IGIA, following a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer model. This system aims to provide reliable, fast, and seamless connectivity between T1 and T3/2, covering a route of approximately 7.7 km via Aerocity and the cargo city, as outlined in DIAL’s tender document.

Delhi International Airport (DIAL), which manages Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), has proposed to widen the only tunnel-road-under-a-runway in India. This initiative is part of a broader plan aimed at easing the 7km commute between Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminals 3/2, making the journey smoother for transit passengers. With T1 set to handle four crore passengers annually starting this summer, the volume of transit traffic is expected to surge significantly. To manage this increase, DIAL has put forward a plan to build a Y-shaped flyover connecting the Northern Access Road to roads leading to Dwarka, Dhaula Kuan, and Vasant Vihar. The proposal includes widening the existing 6-lane tunnel road (three lanes in each direction) by adding an additional 6-lane underpass section. The flyover will ensure seamless travel between T1 and T3, bypassing the currently congested NSG junction. To support the rising vehicular traffic, the Northern Access Road linking the two terminals will also need to be widened. The estimated cost for this project is between Rs 3-3.50 billion. DIAL has sought assistance from both the Delhi and central governments, as the road falls under the state's Public Works Department (PWD). A person familiar with the development mentioned, “It is proposed that the state contribute 20 per cent of the funds through the Centre’s urban development fund, with 80 per cent from the Centre.” The request has been submitted to both governments. In August 2023, the LG’s office urged the state government to take “appropriate action” on these proposals, which are crucial for improving connectivity to IGIA. IGIA handled eight crore passengers in 2024, and once Terminal 2 (T2) is demolished, the airport’s peak capacity could reach 14 crore passengers annually in the near future. Several years ago, the Centre directed DIAL to conduct a detailed traffic study to ensure congestion-free connectivity to IGIA, taking into account future traffic volumes up to 2034. DIAL subsequently appointed Japanese consultant Nippon Koei, which recommended the Y-shaped flyover and expanded Northern Access Road as top priorities. Currently, IGIA is one of the busiest airports in the world, with terminals that are not connected by an automated people mover, unlike other global hubs. A proposed air train linking T3/2, T1, Aerocity, and the cargo city was delayed due to COVID-19 and is still expected to take 3-4 years to materialize. The deadline for submitting proposals for this project is reportedly by the end of February. DIAL plans to implement an elevated and at-grade automated people mover system at IGIA, following a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer model. This system aims to provide reliable, fast, and seamless connectivity between T1 and T3/2, covering a route of approximately 7.7 km via Aerocity and the cargo city, as outlined in DIAL’s tender document.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

NHAI to Upgrade Tamil Nadu Highways

To reduce congestion on key national highways in Tamil Nadu, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has planned capacity upgrades for at least eight highway stretches. The improvements will include bypasses, flyovers, and four-laning in Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, and Cuddalore. NHAI has invited tenders to appoint consultants for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) on these expansions. The affected highways include NH-181, NH-81, NH-532, NH-85, and NH-136. Proposed Upgrades Across Highways - NH-181 (Coimbatore-Gundlupet Route): This stretch will see four bypasses an..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Ludhiana-Bathinda Highway Revived as NHAI Invites Bids

The Ludhiana-Bathinda highway project, initially stalled due to land acquisition issues, has been revived as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) invites fresh bids to resume construction. The project, part of the Ludhiana-Ajmer Economic Corridor, is estimated to cost Rs 24.61 billion and will be executed in two phases. Package 1, covering 30.03 km, has a budget of Rs 9.06 billion, while Package 2, spanning 45.25 km, is set to cost Rs 15.55 billion. The NHAI had previously withdrawn the project due to unavailability of land. However, intervention from Union Minister for Road Trans..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Dilip Buildcon Wins Rs 460M Arbitration

Infrastructure major Dilip Buildcon has secured an arbitration award of Rs 460 million against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) over delays and breaches during the execution of a highway project in Karnataka. The dispute pertains to the Rehabilitation and Upgradation of the Kerala Border to Kollegala Section of NH 212, awarded to Dilip Buildcon under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement dated June 6, 2014. The project involved two-lane expansion with paved shoulders and four-lane development under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase IV..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?