Delhi airport to launch India’s first air train connecting Terminals 1, T2, T3
Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has issued a tender to construct an Automated People Mover (APM) that will feature four stops: T2/3, T1, Aerocity, and Cargo City.
The alignment for the 7.7 km route has been provided by GMR-backed DIAL. Once completed, travellers will no longer have to rely on DTC buses to navigate the distance between these two terminals. Bids for the project will be accepted in October and November. The selection of the winning bidder will depend on the costs quoted by various parties, along with their proposals for a revenue-sharing model or requests for viability gap funding.
Sources mentioned that if everything proceeds smoothly, a contract is expected to be awarded before the end of the fiscal year. Construction is targeted to be completed by the end of calendar year 2027, as communicated to the Union aviation ministry by DIAL.
The tender document outlines that DIAL plans to implement an elevated and at-grade APM system at Delhi International Airport under a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model. The APM system is designed to provide reliable, fast, and seamless connectivity between T1 and T3/2, covering a route length of approximately 7.7 km via Aerocity and Cargo City. Besides enhancing connectivity between terminals, the APM system aims to improve passenger convenience, boost the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) score, and reduce the carbon footprint.
The aviation ministry under the Modi 2.0 government has indicated that it will not permit the imposition of any development fees to finance this project until it is operational.
While the exact cost of the train remains undetermined, sources suggest it may be under Rs 20 billion, pending evaluation and quotations from bidders. The government had previously instructed DIAL to scrap the proposal for six stops, citing concerns that it would lead to longer travel times between T1 and T2/3. A senior government official remarked last November that DIAL’s model, which included numerous stops, would not only increase travel time but also necessitate stringent security measures at the non-terminal stops.