High-end sanitary and glass fittings, new tiles, carpets and even plush chairs for lounges. More importantly, more baggage trolleys for passengers.
Next 60 days will see a series of changes at IGI, more than the airport has seen in a decade.
Private player GMR consortium, with substantial help from the Airports Authority of India, will roll out several projects to make the airport passenger-friendly.
Officials have made a checklist of facilities that will be improved at the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) — as it will now be called — within the next 90 days.
Tenders have already been issued for nearly all short-term projects. Some projects are at an advanced stage.
Toilets at Terminal IA — that caters to Indian (Airlines) and a couple of private carriers — are first off the makeover block. Work at two of the toilets is nearly complete.
“Our effort is to make a visit to the airport a pleasant experience. It will involve refurbishing the interiors, improving customer service and minimising queues,” said an official.
Security, too, will be upgraded, as new cables and fire alarm systems are being installed. There have been several fires in the last one year at Terminal IA and IB. In a couple of cases, the smoke detection system had failed.
{{/usCountry}}Security, too, will be upgraded, as new cables and fire alarm systems are being installed. There have been several fires in the last one year at Terminal IA and IB. In a couple of cases, the smoke detection system had failed.
{{/usCountry}}Officials said Terminal IB may have a new facade within six months.
“We are still in the process of finalising several plans, including one on how to reduce congestion in terminals. This will require a massive reconstruction, details of which are being worked out,” said the official.
The airport has seen a massive growth in traffic in the past year. There has been a 33 per cent growth in domestic passenger traffic and aircraft movement. At the international terminal, passenger traffic has increased by 16 per cent.
The consortium officially took over on May 2 midnight. As part of a three-month transition period, consortium officials are at present assisting the AAI in the work of refurbishing the airport. The consortium will take up a more active role in June.