‘Jewar airport to handle 6 million passengers annually’

Yamuna Authority readying tender for construction of airport; first phase of acquisition to start in June

The Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Department said on Tuesday that Jewar airport in Greater Noida is expected to handle six million passengers annually by 2022-2023.

It added that the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is readying the tender for construction of the National Capital Region’s second airport. The foundation-laying ceremony for the airport is likely in October and construction work at the site is expected to begin by the end of this year. The Centre’s steering committee had given in-principle nod to the airport on Monday.

“Jewar airport will be able to handle six million passengers annually by 2022-2023 and 10 million by 2029-2030. About 85% of airport traffic will be domestic and 15% international. The airport will initially serve eight domestic and six international destinations, which will be increased to 37 domestic and 31 international destinations by 2050,” said a statement by the Civil Aviation Department on Tuesday.

The detailed project report and techno-economic feasibility report for the project has been prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The YEIDA has identified 5,000 hectares of land for the project, of which 240 hectares belong to the State government. The rest belongs to private owners. The first phase of acquisition is expected to begin in June.

The airport will help reduce congestion at the Delhi international airport. Terminals at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi can handle 62 million passengers annually. Airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited ( DIAL) has stated that IGI Airport handled 57.7 million passengers in 2016-17.

The Jewar airport will be located at a distance of 40 km from Noida, 65 km from Gurugram, 72 km from IGI Airport, and 130 km from Agra.