New Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 3 to be inaugurated on 03-Jul-2010

India's New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport's (IGI) new USD2.6 million Terminal 3 has been completed and is set for a 03-Jul-2010 inauguration (The Hindu/newkerala/IBNS/PTI/NetIndian News Network, 08-Jun-2010). Details include:

• Commencement of operations: The terminal will be opened for international operations from 14-Jul-2010 and for domestic operations from 31-Jul-2010. Trial runs for operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) commenced in 01-Apr-2010;
• Upgrade works: The new terminal is part of the project for the modernisation and upgrade awarded to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a JV company formed by the GMR Group, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Fraport and Malaysian Airport Holdings;
• Capacity: The integrated terminal has capacity for 34 million passengers p/a;
• Size of terminal: The terminal has eight levels with a built-up area of 5.5 million sqft and an apron area of 6.3 million sqft;
• Check-in features:. The terminal's common check-in concourse has 168 check-in counters and 24 remote check-in counters. There are also 98 immigration counters;
• Baggage system: The terminal has a five-level in-line baggage system;
• Aeorbridges: The terminal has 78 aerobridges, the largest number for a single terminal worldwide;
• Non-aeronautical features: A 100-room transit hotel and a multi-level car parking facility;
• F&B/retail features: The airport village opposite the terminal will have a large number of food and retail outlets, while the terminal itself will have F&B and retail outlets. There will be several lounges for various categories of passengers;
• Safety features: An Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) along with Security Operations Control Centre (SOCC) has been established in front of the terminal. There will be 3000 closed circuit television sets and 352 screening machines at the airport;
• Terminal access: The terminal will have an eight-lane road connection with the National Highway (NH-8). It will also have an underground station of the Delhi Metro, with the journey from New Delhi Railway Station to the airport expected to take 18 minutes;
• Environmental features: The airport will have natural lighting facilities, recycling of water through a 10 MLD sewerage treatment plant with zero discharge and 310 rain harvesting pits.

Meanwhile, the National Facilitation Committee, set up by the Government to monitor and review the progress of the project, described the terminal as an "asset which India will cherish". [more]