Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is set to introduce India’s first driverless Air Train system as part of a large-scale revamp of passenger transport infrastructure within the airport campus.
The proposed Automated People Mover (APM) network, estimated to cost around Rs 3,500 crore, will connect Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Aerocity, and Cargo City through a dedicated 7.7-km transit corridor, as reported by Traveller. The system is expected to significantly reduce travel time between terminals while replacing the airport’s existing shuttle bus operations.
7.7-Km Corridor To Connect Key Airport Zones
According to the project plan, the Air Train network will operate across both elevated and ground-level tracks to improve connectivity throughout the airport complex.
The route will link:
- Terminal 1 (T1)
- Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 (T2/T3)
- Aerocity
- Cargo City
Airport authorities believe the dedicated transit line will provide quicker and smoother movement for both passengers and airport staff across major operational zones.
Delhi Airport To Fully Fund Project
The project is being developed by Delhi International Airport Limited, which is expected to bear the full cost of construction and implementation. While the estimated expenditure currently stands at around Rs 3,500 crore, officials said the overall project cost could range between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore depending on final execution plans.
Construction of the Air Train system is expected to take nearly 30 months once work begins. If completed on schedule, operations could start sometime between late 2027 and 2029.
Faster Transfers And Free Travel For Transit Passengers
Airport authorities expect the Air Train to ease congestion caused by shuttle buses operating on internal airport roads and improve transfer times between terminals. Transit passengers travelling within the airport are likely to be allowed to use the service free of charge.
However, non-passengers and visitors may have to pay a nominal fare to access the network.
The airport administration also believes the project could improve overall passenger convenience and enhance the airport’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) ratings.
Electric Transit System Aims To Cut Emissions
The Air Train will function as an electric, rail-guided transport system operating on a dedicated corridor separated from normal vehicular traffic. Officials say replacing a large portion of diesel-powered shuttle buses with the automated transit network could help reduce congestion inside the airport campus while lowering carbon emissions over time.
Similar driverless people mover systems are already operational at several major international airports, including those in Dubai, Singapore and Heathrow Airport.
Elevated And Ground-Level Tracks Planned
Of the proposed 7.7-km corridor, around 5.7 km will run on elevated tracks, while the remaining 2 km will operate at ground level.
The mixed alignment has been designed to ensure smoother integration across different parts of the airport campus and minimise disruptions to existing infrastructure.
Passenger Capacity Expected To Double Over Time
The Automated People Mover system is initially being designed to handle around 40,000 to 50,000 passengers daily.
Airport planners expect that figure to eventually rise to between 80,000 and 90,000 passengers a day by increasing train frequency as demand grows in the coming years.
Unlike traditional shuttle services that move alongside regular airport traffic, the Air Train will operate on a completely dedicated corridor, allowing for more predictable and faster travel times.
Concerns Raised Over Construction Impact
While the project is being promoted as an environmentally beneficial initiative in the long term, concerns have also been raised over its construction phase.
Past expansion work at Indira Gandhi International Airport, including the development of Terminal 3, had reportedly led to the relocation of nearby settlements such as Nangal Dewat. Some civil society groups had also highlighted delays in rehabilitation for low-income Dalit families, an issue that later came under review by the NHRC.
Environmental concerns have also emerged regarding air quality during the expected 30-month construction period. Experts warn that excavation work and elevated structure construction could contribute to higher PM10 and PM2.5 pollution levels in surrounding areas of Delhi, which already struggles with severe air pollution.
Construction workers, informal labourers and nearby low-income communities are expected to face the greatest exposure to dust and poor air quality due to prolonged outdoor exposure and limited protective resources.
What Is The Proposed Air Train System?
The proposed Air Train is a fully automated driverless transit network being developed to improve movement between terminals and key facilities at Delhi’s airport campus.
The system will connect T1, T2/T3, Aerocity and Cargo City through a 7.7-km route and is expected to become operational between late 2027 and 2029 once construction is completed.
