Delhi Airport Plans 3500 Crore Automated Passenger Mover Linking Terminals by 2030 A 7.3-kilometer driverless train system will connect Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Delhi Metro, cutting inter-terminal transit time to 13 minutes. A major infrastructure overhaul is on the horizon for air passengers travelling through the national capital. To streamline passenger transfers between different flight terminals and significantly cut vehicular congestion around the airport zone, an Automated Passenger Mover (APM) system will be developed at Delhi international airport. Officials shared on Tuesday that the dedicated transit system is targeted to become operational by the year 2030. The entire project involves a planned capital outlay of roughly 3500 crore rupees. Crucial Component of 10-Year Master Plan Pradeep Panicker, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), explained that the upcoming Automated Passenger Mover represents a core element of the operator's broader 10-year master plan extending through 2036. An APM operates as a fully driverless transit system designed to shuttle travellers swiftly from one airport precinct to another. Projections indicate that in the very first year of commercial operation, around 55,000 passengers will utilize the automated transit service every single day. Route Alignment, 6 Stations, and Metro Connectivity According to details disclosed by airport authorities, the APM line will span 7.3 kilometers in length and feature 6 designated stations across its route. Once running, commuters will be able to complete the journey between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 in roughly 13 minutes. The route is laid out not just to link Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3, but also to bring the cargo terminal and the Aerocity hub into seamless connectivity. Furthermore, one of the stops along the corridor will provide an integrated interchange with the Delhi Metro network. At present, the combined handling capacity of all three terminals stands at 10.6 crore passengers annually. Scaling Up Terminal Capacity to 12.5 Crore Passengers Under DIAL's 10-year development blueprint, the annual passenger throughput of the hub will be ramped up to 12.5 crore travellers. This expanded capacity will accommodate 8.60 crore domestic passengers and 3.90 crore international flyers, with the potential to scale even further up to 12.9 crore passengers. In terms of current infrastructure limits, Terminal 1 handles 4.2 crore flyers per year, Terminal 2 manages 1.4 crore, and Terminal 3 possesses a threshold of 5 crore passengers. Within Terminal 3's existing limits, domestic transit accounts for 1.9 crore passengers while international throughput stands at 3.1 crore. Transitioning Away From Road Transit and Adding Pier-E As per the present layout, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 sit close to one another, but Terminal 1 is situated several kilometers apart. Because of this physical separation, travellers arriving at Terminal 3 who need to board ongoing flights from Terminal 1 currently have no choice but to take road vehicles through external traffic. DIAL is actively awaiting permission from concerned authorities to run dedicated transfer buses within the airport's restricted airside zone between Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 as an interim measure. Addressing fare structures, Pradeep Panicker stated that no final choice has been determined yet regarding whether non-travelling visitors will be charged a fare to ride the APM. In parallel, infrastructure at Terminal 3 will be enhanced with the construction of a new Pier-E by April 2030, which serves as an elongated wing extending from the main terminal hall to facilitate boarding via aerobridges directly into aircraft. What this means for you Air passengers catching connecting flights between different terminals in Delhi will save significant transfer time and avoid street traffic. • Across India: Fliers arriving from across the country to board connecting departures from Delhi will no longer need to navigate congested city roads between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. They can transit directly between the two major hubs in roughly 13 minutes using the driverless train. • In Delhi and NCR: Integrating an APM station with the Delhi Metro line will streamline ground connectivity for commuters travelling from the capital and nearby cities to any terminal or Aerocity. This will ease traffic bottlenecks outside terminal gates and reduce reliance on inter-terminal road shuttles. • For non-travelling visitors: A policy decision on whether non-passengers will be charged to ride the APM is still pending. Once operational, it will offer visitors a rapid and seamless link connecting Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the cargo facility. • Capacity and flight boarding: Expanding airport handling capacity to 12.5 crore passengers and opening Pier-E at Terminal 3 by April 2030 will provide more aerobridge boarding points. This expansion will make passenger boarding smoother and cut transit delays during peak flight hours. Why this happened The project was initiated due to the physical distance separating Terminal 1 from Terminal 3 and the escalating road congestion around Delhi airport. Currently, the lack of a dedicated inter-terminal airside transit link forces passengers to navigate external traffic. • Geographical separation of terminals: While Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are located next to each other, Terminal 1 sits several kilometers away. Passengers switching flights must exit onto public roads, which often causes delays due to heavy traffic. • Rapid growth in passenger volume: The airport currently handles 10.6 crore passengers annually, and DIAL aims to expand this capacity to 12.5 crore or even 12.9 crore under its 10-year master plan. Accommodating this passenger influx necessitates an automated, high-frequency transit mechanism. • Alleviating vehicular traffic: Shifting transit passengers off external roadways and onto a dedicated 7.3-kilometer rail network will cut down on taxi transfers and local road congestion. This prompted the 3500 crore rupee automated transport commitment under the 2036 master plan. Questions & Answers 1. When is the Automated Passenger Mover expected to launch at Delhi airport? The Automated Passenger Mover is anticipated to start operations by the year 2030. 2. What is the total estimated cost of this APM project? The automated transit project involves an estimated investment of around 3500 crore rupees. 3. How long will it take to travel between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3? Travel time between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 via the APM will take approximately 13 minutes. 4. What will be the length of the APM track and how many stations will it have? The planned APM route spans 7.3 kilometers and will feature a total of 6 stations. 5. Which facilities and terminals will this system connect? It will link Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, the cargo terminal, Aerocity, and a Delhi Metro station. 6. How many daily passengers are projected to use the APM in its opening year? Approximately 55,000 daily passengers are projected to ride the transit system during its first operational year. 7. What will be the expanded annual passenger capacity of Delhi airport? Under the 10-year master plan, overall airport capacity will expand from 10.6 crore to 12.5 crore passengers annually. 8. By when will Pier-E be constructed at Terminal 3? The construction of the new Pier-E at Terminal 3 is scheduled for completion by April 2030. https://trendkia.com/en/business/delhi-airport-ke-tarminalon-ko-joregi-nai-draivaralesa-trena-3500-karora-rupaye-honge-kharcha-44158 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.