Indira Gandhi International Airport Set for Major Expansion with New Terminals, Runway Upgrades.

New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is undergoing significant expansion, with four major projects set to reshape its infrastructure in the coming months. The phased upgrades will improve passenger handling capacity, enhance international flight operations, and upgrade runway systems for better efficiency, particularly during foggy winters.

By March 15, restoration work at Terminal 1 (T1) will be completed, and after security clearances, the expanded terminal—capable of handling 40 million passengers annually—will fully open by April. Once operational, Terminal 2 (T2) will close for structural repairs, including apron strengthening, new flooring, upgraded washrooms, and boarding bridges, at an estimated cost of ₹80 crore.

To address growing international passenger traffic, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) will convert a domestic pier at Terminal 3 (T3) into an international facility, expanding T3’s capacity from 20 million to 32 million international passengers annually. This transition will occur over 4-5 months, with domestic flights continuing in the pier during most of the work period.

Runway upgrades are also in focus, with IGIA’s primary runway, 28/10, set to be closed at its Dwarka end for CAT III-B instrumentation. This enhancement will allow landings in low-visibility conditions on both ends of the runway, reducing disruptions during foggy winters.

Additionally, as the volume of passengers transferring between domestic and international flights increases, DIAL plans to deploy additional buses for seamless connectivity between T1 and T3, with waiting lounges and automated baggage transfers for connecting flights.

These infrastructure upgrades come as IGIA prepares for rising air traffic and the anticipated opening of Jewar Airport, which may influence future expansion plans, including the eventual replacement of T2 with a new Terminal 4.

ET