Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the expanded integrated Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport after, which also joined the elite club of airports having 100 million passengers per annum (MPPA) capacity globally. The Delhi airport T1 now has the capacity to serve 40 million passengers per annum (MPPA) – doubling its previous capability.
Speaking on the occasion, I Prabhakara Rao, Group Deputy Managing Director of GMR Group, emphasised that the Terminal 1 expansion project signifies more than just infrastructure development. It represents a paradigm shift in passenger experience, embracing sustainability while doubling its previous capacity to serve 40 million passengers annually.
“Terminal 1 enhances capacity and redefines the passenger experience while embracing sustainability. The expanded integrated terminal, a marvel of innovation and aesthetics, will serve 40 million passengers annually, double its previous capacity. Through this project, we have reimagined a seamless journey facilitated by facial recognition, self-service kiosks, and automated baggage systems. Spacious concourses bathed in natural light, offering a haven of comfort with prayer rooms, yoga areas, and quiet zones are its integral part,” he said.
GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd (GIL)-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) undertook the expansion work in 2019 to make Delhi Airport future-ready. The expansion work was carried out as per the Master Plan 2016 as Delhi Airport witnessed a massive surge the Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) and passenger numbers, exceeding projections.
Redefining Passenger Experience
The expanded Terminal 1 redefines passenger experience with its fusion of elegance, innovation, and advanced technology. Consolidating Arrival and Departure terminals into a cohesive structure has significantly increased the overall area, offering enhanced facilities and services to travelers.
Advanced technologies such as Facial Recognition System (DIGIYATRA), Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS), and Individual Carrier System (ICS) ensure a seamless journey for passengers. Moreover, the terminal features expanded baggage reclaim carousels, multiple entry gates, and enhanced Shop and Dine facilities to cater to diverse traveller needs.
Special zones and elevated seating arrangements have been introduced for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM), both on the Kerbside and inside the terminal. Moreover, the terminal boasts a wide range of passenger facilities including prayer rooms, yoga areas, lounges, laptop and mobile charging stations, self-medication rooms, and smart washrooms.
Terminal 1’s city-side developments offer an enhanced experience for Meeters and Greeters, featuring contemporary meet & greet zones, plush forecourt areas, and expanded parking facilities. The terminal, designed as a Green Building adhering to USGBC LEED Platinum standards, incorporates innovative features for sustainability.
The redesigned apron, featuring 82 Code C stands and a dual taxiway, ensures improved air traffic flow and enhanced safety. Technological upgrades contribute to efficiency and safety in aircraft handling. The design concept blends existing structures with new, symbolising the evolution of flight and India’s commitment to innovation in aviation infrastructure.
In addition to Terminal 1 expansion, Delhi Airport has undertaken other projects under Phase 3A to become a NET ZERO-CARBON EMISSION AIRPORT BY 2030. These include the construction of a fourth runway, dual elevated Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT), and modifications in Terminal 3 to enhance passenger throughput.
In a bid to enhance air connectivity and streamline travel, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 12 new terminal buildings at Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Adampur airports. Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for three new terminal buildings at Kadapa, Hubballi, and Belagavi airports.
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The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has initiated its training program in Odisha as well. This initiative, termed the Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme, reached a pivotal juncture on January 5, 2024, with the launch of its fourth training module aimed at empowering local communities, boat owners, and Forest department officials of Bhitarkanika National Park.
The initiative encompasses two distinct training programs: the Alternative Livelihood Program (ALP) and the Paryatan Navik Certificate (PNC), both spanning a duration of 15 days each. The collaborative effort between the Odisha State Wetlands Authority (OSWA) and the Mangrove Forest Division, Rajnagar, identified and selected a cohort of 60 participants (30 for each course) from the local communities in and around Bhitarkanika.
Several new developments in the pipeline will make Punjab a strong player globally, said Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary Tourism & Cultural Affairs, in conversation with ETTravelWorld. In 2024, Punjab’s tourism strategies will be characterised by a blend of sustainability, technology integration, and a focus on local experiences, besides developing tourist sites in PPP along the state’s major rivers to push adventure and water tourism activities.
The primary objective of this endeavor is to equip and certify these individuals as proficient nature-guides. This strategic move aligns with the overarching mission of the Amrit Dharohar Initiative led by the MoEF&CC, aiming to bolster livelihood prospects for local communities by harnessing the nature-tourism potential of Ramsar Sites nationwide.The program’s phased approach has already marked significant milestones. In the initial phase, five priority Ramsar sites were earmarked for focused attention, namely Sultanpur National Park, Sirpur Wetland, Yashwant Sagar, Bhitarkanika National Park, and Chilika Lake.
Notably, the successful completion of the first three training programs for Sultanpur National Park, Sirpur Wetland, and Yashwant Sagar was done in December 2023.
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The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) recently initiated an impactful project known as the Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme-2023. This collaborative effort took flight on December 8, 2023, at Sultanpur National Park, a designated Ramsar Site nestled in Haryana.
Particularly emphasizing nature-tourism and its integral role, the joint effort between MoT and MoEFCC aims to tap into the nature-tourism potential of Ramsar Sites countrywide. Sultanpur stands out as one of the initial five priority Ramsar Sites identified in the first phase, alongside Bhitarkanika and Chilika in Odisha, as well as Yashwant Sagar and Sirpur in Madhya Pradesh. These sites have been earmarked for targeted training programs under the Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP), showcasing the commitment to fostering local communities.
Also central to this endeavour is the Alternative Livelihood Programme, a facet of the Amrit Dharohar initiative. The main objective is to empower and train local community members residing near Ramsar sites. By partnering with the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM) and the MoEFCC, the initiative aims to fortify nature tourism at these sites while concurrently offering alternative means of livelihood for the local populace.
In an interview with ETTravelWorld, DG Tourism, Govt of India, Manisha Saxena shared that this is going to be an international level promotional event to be hosted with the international buyers. The detailed discussions will be carried out at the ICPB CIC event starting today in Gandhinagar. The aim is also to catalogue the destinations used during the G20 and maximise their potential by hosting a variety of events, she said.
The first phase focuses on Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, where, in conjunction with the State Forest Department, 30 individuals from the local communities will undergo comprehensive training to become certified nature-guides.The Amrit Dharohar initiative was introduced by the MoEF&CC earlier in June 2023 as a part of the budget announcement for 2023-24. Its core mission revolves around spotlighting the distinctive conservation significance of Ramsar Sites across India while actively creating employment avenues and bolstering local livelihoods.
The collaboration extends beyond governmental bodies to encompass a network of formal and informal institutions, ministries, agencies, and individuals, all rallying together for this noble cause.
The inauguration of this event was done by Manisha Saxena, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, in the presence of Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Prof Alok Sharma, Director of the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, officials from MoEF&CC, and senior officials from the Haryana Forest Department, among others.
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