Delhi IGI Airport Upgrade – Design & Status
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is undergoing a major expansion project by GMR which will see an expanded Terminal 1 (T1) in Palam, a fourth runway, expanded facilities inside Terminal 3 (T3), and a unique ‘dual elevated cross taxiway’ to increase passenger handling capacity. In the future, a new Terminal 4 and Air Train will also be built.
Construction on Terminal 1 is being carried out by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) through an approximately Rs. 7000 crore construction contract. The terminal will integrate domestic departure and arrival terminals under one roof and double its capacity from 20 million passengers per annum to 40 million passengers.
Delhi Airport’s new Terminal 1 (T1) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10, 2024. Its 4th runway and elevated Elevated Eastern Cross Taxiway (ECT) were inaugurated in July 2023.
Expansion and Upgrades
- Phase 3A
- Merging T1D and T1C as T1 and expanding the single terminal
- Partially shifting T1 operations to renovated T2 (interim)
- Building new East Elevated Cross Taxiway
- Phase 3B
- Constructing Fourth runway (11R-29L)
- Upgrading T2 in to T4 (on-hold)
Terminal 1 Expansion
Passenger traffic in FY2017 crossed the existing T1’s capacity of 20 million necessitating for an expanded terminal. The departure terminal (T1-D) and arrivals terminal (T1-C) are being merged into one futuristic terminal with a capacity to handle 40 million passengers.
| Existing T1 | New T1 | |
| Area | 60,000 sq meters | 169,000 sq meters |
| Entry Gates | 8 | 13 |
| Baggage Handling | 4 | 9 |
| Arrival Baggage Belts | 8 | 10 |
| Aircraft Slots | 55 | 82 |
A “smart apron” being built west of T1 will increase the number of parking stands from 55 to 82, have 22 ‘contact’ stands and eight Multiple Apron Ramp System (MARS) to accommodate much larger aircrafts. As of December 2021, 19 new stands have become operational after statutory approvals from DGCA.
Per Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL):
The new layout will facilitate improved air traffic flow and enhance airside safety. The creation of new contact stands will also lead to a reduction in the Ground Support Equipment required. This will ensure faster aircraft turnaround time and improve safety in the apron area, resulting in improved operational efficiency on the airside.
Current Status Video
Elevated Eastern Cross Taxiway (ECT)
Delhi Airport’s new Elevated Eastern Cross Taxiway (ECT) was inaugurated on July 14, 2023. It features a 2.1km long & 203m wide dual ECT to reduce turn-around times, and a 148m bridge section over the main road between T3 and Mahipalpur, under construction by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
This ECT reduces the taxiing distance covered by aircrafts from around 9 kilometres to 2 kilometres.
Fourth Runway
Delhi Airport’s fourth runway 11L/29R is 4,400 metres long and 75 metres wide. It is slightly longer than the third runway known as 11R/29L.
The first flight took off from it on July 14, 2023.
Page last updated: March 23, 2024. Have a question or spot an error? Let me know here.