Delhi City News Archives

New Delhi: The international terminal of the IGI airport opened to passengers in a new avtaar on Tuesday. Renovation and modernisation of the terminal was completed as promised by Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL), though some facilities like in-line baggage checking are yet to be commissioned fully.

According to sources, only five of the eight in-line units have been commissioned so far. Belts 1, 4 and 5 are still working on the old X-ray machines. DIAL has been asked to have them fully functional in the next two weeks. The in-line system will cut down on the waiting time for passengers tremendously, since they would no longer need to stand in queue to get their baggage X-rayed before checking in.

The immigration area has been increased by 800 sq mt, and counters too have gone up - from 28 to 52 in the departure area and from 28 to 38 at the arrival terminal. Another 10 counters will be added in a few weeks. However, the existing ones are yet to be fully manned, since the immigration personnel are still training. DIAL had, recently, asked for an increase in CISF and immigration personnel saying that though the facilities were available, there were no people to man them.

According to DIAL officials, the entry gates to the terminal have also been increased from four to eight. "We have taken several measures to reduce congestion. Other than giving a facelift to the interior and exterior of the terminal, several facilities have been introduced to aid passengers. The extensive use of clear signages will mark the approach road to the airport. Security lanes have also been increased from 10 to 22," said DIAL officials.

The number of check-in counters is up from 78 to 100, while the check-in area has increased by 2,500 sq mt, which is expected to make checking-in smoother. Officials added that several other measures were in the implementation and planning stages and the airport would sport a world-class look in the coming months.