Delhi airport to be ready for Commonwealth Games 2010: GMR

New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) The first phase of modernising Delhi airport will be complete by March 2010, well before the Commonwealth Games, GMR group officials said today during an interaction with the CII Delhi State Council.

Mr P. Pannicker, general manager of GMR Infrastructure Ltd, said that the masterplan for the airport will be complete by September this year and construction will start by January 2007.

The current passenger traffic is 16.2 million per year which is expected to grow at 15 per cent over the next five years. By 2010, the passenger traffic is likely to cross by 28 million.

After the first phase of project is over, the airport will have one integrated terminal catering to about 30 to 35 million passengers, said Mr Pannicker.

The GMR has set some early success targets that will be finished within four months from now. This includes facelift of terminal 1 B, toilet renovation, improving housekeeping standards and seating arrangements Earlier while speaking at the session, Mr Ankur Bhatia, chairman of CII Delhi State Council, said the restructuring and modernisation of Delhi airport will add to economic growth tremendously and will have a wider implication on the aviation sector in general.

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