Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday inaugurated a fourth runway and dual Eastern Cross Taxiways at the Delhi airport in a bid to increase the capacity and operational efficiency of the country’s largest airport, which is expected to have an annual passenger handling strength of 109 million in the near future. The country’s civil aviation sector is at an inflection point and the beginning of the growth phase, said Scinidia as he inaugurated the runway and the ECT, reported news agency PTI.
“A historical moment for Indian Civil Aviation as Delhi Airport gets its 4th Runway and first Elevated Cross Taxiway. These developments will revolutionise the sector and fulfil India’s dream of establishing its first international aviation hub,” said the Union minister.
With this, the Indira Gandhi International Airport has become the first airport to have four runways and ECT. It handles around 1,500 aircraft movements every day.
With the fourth runway and terminal expansion, expected to be completed soon, Delhi airport’s passenger handling capacity will increase to 109 million per annum from present capacity of 70 million passengers per year, Scindia said, emphasising that Delhi airport will even beat Atlanta airport in its capabilities.
On Saturday, Union home minister Amit Shah and Scindia reviewed the facilities and infrastructure for major airports during a meeting aimed to address requirements arising out of fast-growing domestic and international aviation mobility in the country.
In the meeting directions given to develop and provide standards for quick, safe and convenient travel experience of the travellers. Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation and other agencies have embarked upon a series of steps towards expanding and enhancing the facilities and infrastructure at major airports, said the MHA in a statement, as per ANI.