IGI Airport Set for Major Upgrade with India’s First Driverless Air Train

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is preparing to introduce India’s first driverless Air Train system as part of a major overhaul of passenger transport facilities within the airport. The Automated People Mover (APM) project, estimated at INR 3,500 crore, will link Terminal 1, Terminal 2/3, Aerocity and Cargo City through a 7.7-kilometre corridor, cutting inter-terminal travel time and replacing the existing shuttle bus service.

Project Snapshot

• Route and stations: The 7.7 km corridor, comprising both elevated and at-grade stretches, will connect Terminal 1 (T1), Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 (T2/T3), Aerocity and Cargo City at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The system is intended to provide quicker movement between terminals and other key airport zones for passengers and staff.

• Cost and funding: The project is being undertaken by Delhi International Airport Limited, which will fully finance the development. The estimated cost of the proposed Air Train network is expected to range between INR 3,000 crore and INR 4,000 crore.

• Timeline: Construction of the transit system is expected to take around 30 months from the start of work. If completed on schedule, the Air Train could begin operations sometime between late 2027 and 2029.

Passenger Benefits

• Fare: The Air Train service is expected to remain free for transit passengers moving between terminals at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Non-passengers and visitors using the system may, however, be required to pay a nominal charge.

• Faster transfers: The new system is expected to reduce dependence on shuttle buses operating on airport roads, allowing passengers to move between terminals more quickly and with fewer delays. Airport authorities also expect the project to improve overall passenger convenience and strengthen the airport’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) ratings.

• Environmental impact: By replacing a large part of the shuttle bus network with an electric mass transit system, the airport is aiming to cut down on road congestion within the campus and lower overall carbon emissions.

• Global model: Similar driverless people mover systems are already in operation at major international airports, including those in Dubai, Singapore and London Heathrow Airport.

Structural and Technical Plans

• Elevated and surface tracks: Of the proposed 7.7 km corridor at Indira Gandhi International Airport, around 5.7 km will run on elevated tracks, while the remaining 2 km will operate at ground level. The combination is intended to ensure smoother connectivity across different sections of the airport campus.

• Passenger capacity: The Automated People Mover (APM) system is being designed to handle an initial daily footfall of nearly 40,000 to 50,000 passengers. Airport planners expect the network’s capacity to eventually increase to between 80,000 and 90,000 passengers a day by raising train frequency as demand grows.

• Dedicated transit corridor: Unlike shuttle buses that operate alongside regular airport traffic, the Air Train will run on a dedicated rail-guided corridor completely separated from city vehicles. This is expected to provide quicker and more predictable travel times between terminals and other airport zones.

Concerns and Environmental Impact

• Past displacement issues: Earlier expansion at Indira Gandhi International Airport, including work on Terminal 3, has been linked to the relocation of nearby settlements such as Nangal Dewat. Some civil society reports have also raised concerns over delayed rehabilitation for low-income Dalit families, with the issue later coming under review by the NHRC.

• Construction-related air quality: The Air Train is expected to reduce reliance on diesel shuttle buses in the long run, but the construction phase itself could add to dust pollution over the 30-month build period in a city that ranks among the most polluted in the world. Excavation and elevated structure work may push up PM10 and PM2.5 levels in the surrounding area.

• Uneven impact: Those most exposed are likely to be construction workers, informal labourers, and nearby low-income communities, who spend more time outdoors and have limited means to shield themselves from poor air quality.

(With input from various sources)

FAQs

What is the Air Train planned for IGI Airport?
The proposed Air Train is a driverless Automated People Mover (APM) system being developed at Indira Gandhi International Airport to improve movement between terminals and other airport facilities.

Which areas will the Air Train connect?
The network is expected to link Terminal 1 (T1), Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 (T2/T3), Aerocity and Cargo City through a 7.7 km corridor.

Will passengers have to pay to use the service?
Transit passengers travelling between terminals are expected to use the service free of charge. Non-passengers may be required to pay a nominal fare.

When is the Air Train expected to become operational?
The project is expected to take around 30 months to complete once construction begins, with operations likely to start between late 2027 and 2029.