The Delhi Airport, or the Indira Gandhi International Airport, is planning to roll out an inter-terminal driverless train to connect its terminals. The driverless train is expected to be ready by 2030 and will cost about INR 3,500 crore. Once the Delhi Airport driverless air train becomes operational, travel time between terminals is expected to drastically reduce. In fact, it is estimated that the travel time between T1 and T3 will reduce to just 13 minutes and cut down on road transfers.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport To Welcome Driverless Train
Key Details Of The Delhi Airport Driverless Air Train
The Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport driverless train will be an inter-terminal rapid rail system running over 7.3 km with six stations. The driverless air train will connect all the three terminals, with three stops at Aerocity and one at the airport’s cargo area. One station will connect to the Delhi Metro network at Aerocity making it seamlessly connected to the Delhi Metro.
The train is part of the airport’s proposed Master Plan through 2036. This plan includes Pier E at T3, scheduled for completion by April 2030. Additionally, as per this plan, the airport is expected to handle 125 million passengers per year.
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Ridership Of 55,000 And Airport Capacity To Rise
The driverless train at Delhi Airport is projected to carry about 55,000 passengers every day during its opening year. It will potentially help ease congestion around the country’s busiest airport.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the train is expected to be free for passengers riding between terminals. However, Delhi Airport has yet to decide whether non-passengers, such as airport workers, will have to pay for using the driverless train.
Under the airport’s Master Plan, the annual passenger handling capacity is projected to rise from 106 million currently to 125 million, and even potentially reaching 129 million.
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Summing Up
Delhi Airport is soon expected to introduce a driverless train system connecting all the three terminals, Aerocity, and a cargo area. The approximately 3,500-crore project is aimed at improving connectivity within the airport terminals and make the experience more comfortable and faster for passengers. The driverless train is part of Delhi Airport’s larger Master Plan through 2036.
