Delhi airport congestion: ‘Revised slots, more counters cut chaos’

The measures were taken after passengers had in December raised concerns about congestion at Delhi’s T3, leading to several people missing their flights

A high-level meeting chaired by Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday revealed that close monitoring and a revised scheduling for air slots has reduced incidents of bunching of flights at the Delhi airport.

Union Home Secretary held a high-level meeting in Delhi on Monday with the major stakeholders to review the streamlining of infrastructure at Delhi airport. (File photo)

‘Union Home Secretary held a high-level meeting in Delhi on Monday with the major stakeholders to review the streamlining of infrastructure at Delhi airport. Rajiv Bansal, secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation; chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI); Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS); Bureau of Immigration, Delhi Police, GMR and security agencies attended the meeting,’ a statement from the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said.

The measures were taken after passengers had in December raised concerns about congestion at Delhi’s T3, leading to several people missing their flights.

After the delays came to light, civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had made several visits to T3 in order to ensure that Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) GMR, which operates the Delhi airport, along with airlines and security staff were making efforts to decongest the terminal for smooth passenger flow.

Airlines had subsequently issued advisories to passengers, advising them to reach T3 at least 3.5 hours prior to their flight departure time.

The MHA statement on Monday revealed that additional counters have been made functional at T3, along with the posting of adequate manpower to facilitate quicker immigration.

“Baggage scanners have been increased by doubling up the capacity in domestic bay. Immigration counter area has been de-cluttered. Delhi Police have increased deployment for traffic lane management,” the statement said.

At present, T3 has display boards showing wait times at various counters. In addition, “19 x-ray machines are operational at T3. We have capped the number of flights to be operated in peak hours to 16 and as per the instructions from the ministry, we have moved slots of few flights to non-peak hours,” airport officials told HT.

The government said that on the basis of a stakeholder committee evaluation, DIAL GMR has devised a modern layout plan for the immigration bay, which is likely to be completed in three months without causing any disruptions in the present immigration clearance time.

“The proposal includes setting up of documentation and biometrics booths in walkways to avoid cluttering in the Immigration bay,’ the MHA statement said.