Noida Airport to Get Rapid Rail, Expected After 2041

The Uttar Pradesh government has given the green light for a rapid rail corridor connecting the Noida International Airport (NIA) to Delhi and other areas in the National Capital Region (NCR). The proposed route will diverge from the Ghaziabad rapid rail station on the Delhi-Meerut line.

While this decision addresses the connectivity puzzle for the new airport, it is currently a long-term plan. The approved proposal envisions the completion of the 72.3km rapid rail corridor to NIA by 2041, despite the Noida airport's scheduled launch at the end of 2024. This initiative also addresses the long-term connectivity challenge between NIA and Delhi's IGI Airport.

The NIA corridor is planned to branch out from the Delhi-Meerut rapid rail line, set to launch in 2025, at Ghaziabad station. The proposal, developed by the NCR Transport Corporation (NCRTC), anticipates 12 stations along the Ghaziabad-NIA link.

The rail link will provide seamless connectivity for passengers traveling to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi, where the Delhi-Meerut line originates. Moreover, the proposed Delhi-Haryana rapid rail corridor, connecting Gurgaon and featuring a station at IGI Airport, will also start at Sarai Kale Khan, facilitating a comprehensive rapid rail network linking both NCR airports.

Officials are exploring a phased approach for the NIA corridor, with a 37.2km stretch between Ghaziabad and Ecotech VI or Kasna expected to be completed by 2031. The remaining 35.1km route from Ecotech VI to Noida airport is planned for completion in the subsequent decade. The feasibility of this plan will be determined by a detailed project report.

Stations along the NIA corridor include Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad South, Greater Noida West (Sector 4), Greater Noida Sector 2, Knowledge Park V, Surajpur, Pari Chowk, Ecotech VI, Dankaur, YEIDA North (Sector 18), YEIDA Central (sectors 21, 35), and NIA GTC (ground transportation center). A rapid rail station near the Aqua Line station at Pari Chowk is proposed, featuring an interchange to connect the two lines.

A feasibility report on the connectivity plan was discussed in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary DS Mishra, attended by officials from NCRTC, the civil aviation department, and the Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities. NCRTC is now tasked with preparing a detailed project report over the next two months for approval by the state government.

The proposed route combines two earlier alignments, addressing the need for integration of rapid rail and metro routes at Pari Chowk to optimize ridership. NCRTC plans to deploy six-coach trains with an initial frequency of nine minutes, potentially reduced to five minutes with increased ridership.

The estimated project cost is Rs. 16,189 crore, with the UP government covering 50%, the Centre contributing 20%, and the Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities shouldering the remaining 30%.

Previous options, such as a metro route via Pari Chowk to New Delhi railway station and the Airport Express Line, were rejected due to high costs. Another proposal for a rapid rail corridor along the Noida Expressway to Sarai Kale Khan was deemed economically unviable. The Noida airport is anticipated to serve approximately 6.5 million passengers annually in its first year of commercial operation in 2024-25.

ET