Delhi airport’s T1-T3 transit woes may ease as govt plans new flyover, tunnel expansion

Delhi Airport

Commuters battling the gruelling 7 km journey between Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport’s Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminals 2/3 (T3/2) could soon see relief, as authorities revive long-pending plans for a Y-shaped flyover and tunnel expansion. According to a TOI report, the Delhi government is set to appoint a consultant to study the feasibility of the twin projects, which have been stalled for years.

The move comes after Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) officials met Public Works Department (PWD) minister Parvesh Verma, who promptly dispatched a team to inspect the site. "Minister Verma assured us of action in terms of appointing a consultant for the twin project," a source was cited by TOI as saying.

Currently, transit passengers, especially those switching between T1, which handles four crore passengers annually and T3/2 - face a tedious commute, worsened by congestion at the NSG junction. DIAL had earlier proposed doubling the capacity of India’s only runway-underpass tunnel from six to twelve lanes, alongside constructing a Y-shaped flyover. The flyover would link the Northern Access Road to Dwarka on one side and Indira Gandhi Road (leading to Dhaula Kuan and Vasant Vihar) on the other, creating a signal-free route.

The estimated cost for the entire project is reported to be between Rs 300-350 crore. Since the Northern Access Road falls under the jurisdiction of the PWD, DIAL has approached both the Delhi government and central government for funding.

TOI cited a source familiar with the matter as saying that the proposed funding structure would see the state government contributing 20% of the costs, while the remaining 80% would come from the central government's urban development fund. Officials indicate that both governments are currently reviewing the funding request.