Final trial of IGI airport's 3rd runway on Aug 21

New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) The third runway of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, aimed at decongesting traffic there, is near its completion and the final trial would take place on August 21, officials today said.

The information was given during a visit by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to the runway and renovated international departure and arrival area at the airport, which is being thoroughly given new shape by the GMR.

The runway's airfield ground lighting system, perimeter road works, DGCA inspection have been completed while work on sub-station for new runway and turfing works has been completed up to extend of 96 per cent, the officials told.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Special Advisor Commonwealth Games Ramesh Narayanswami, Secretary (PWD), senior officers of DTL and Delhi Jal Board.

The new Terminal-III, which would be able to handle 37 million passengers per year, would be completed within about three years from the date of commencement of work. Air traffic decongestion at Delhi would take another three months, as it is required for stabilisation of simultaneous operation of runway.

It was also informed that Changi Airport at Singapore, with capacity of 22 million passengers, was constructed in about six and a half years, Heathrow Airport Terminal-V with capacity of 25 million was constructed in 60 months and Beijing Airport Terminal-III for Olympics with capacity of 45 million passengers was completed in five years.

At present, the International Airport has two runways and four terminals - one international and three domestic, and is handling 24 million passengers against capacity of 12 million per year.

It is catering to total 70 airlines out of which, 11 are domestic and 59 are international airlines. 260 international flights and 390 domestic flights are taking off from this airport.

It was also informed that Phase-IA of Airport Modernisation would be completed this year, which include refurbishment of International Terminal, expansion of Domestic Arrival Terminal, Development of New Domestic Departure, Commissioning of IIIrd Runway and Commissioning of New Taxiways, Fire stations and associated infrastructure.

Phase-IB would be completed by 2010, which would include the Terminal Building, 48 Contact Stands, 78 Aerobridges and 20 Remote Parking Bays, 90 Walklators, 47 Escalators, 70 lifts, multi-level car parking and bus parking, General Aviation facilities, high speed dedicated to Delhi Metro.

With all new facilities like new runways, domestic departure terminal and integrated terminal, the IGI Airport will have capacity to handle 60 million passengers per annum by 2010.

While inspecting the runway, the office complex and the renovated international departure and arrival area, Ms Dikshit told the GMR to make ample provision of Disaster Management and ensure a standby electric sub-station. She further instructed the PWD and DJB to complete their assigned works.

PWD has assured that part of drainage assigned to it would be completed and integrated with drainage already constructed by the GMR.

She further exhorted all concerned agencies to expedite connectivity projects, which would open five new routes to the airport. These include Dwarka Circle Underpass, Northern Access via Dwarka Circle, Northern Underpass, Mahipalpur Underpass and Southern Access via Dwarka Express Link.

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