[ad_1]
In a momentous event Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has unveiled the much-awaited fourth Runway and elevated dual Eastern Cross Taxiways at Delhi Airport today. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in the Phase 3A expansion project of Delhi Airport, the busiest airport in the country.
With this, Delhi Airport has become India’s only airport to have four operational runways. The 4.4-kilometre-long runway, parallel to the third runway (11/29) on the Southern side, is an integral part of the Phase 3A expansion project undertaken by the Delhi International Airport, a consortium led by GMR Airports Infrastructure, to make Delhi Airport future-ready.
The physical construction of the fourth runway was successfully completed in September 2021, despite numerous challenges, including those posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 4th runway would handle the increased traffic movement and, along with the dual Elevated Cross Taxiways (ECT), will help reduce the Carbon emissions significantly. It would be the step for the Delhi Airport to move towards its goal of becoming a “Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport by 2030”. The ECT will also help reduce about 55,000 tonnes of CO2 emission, equivalent to planting about 15 lakh trees.
As an integral part of the Phase 3A expansion work, the fourth runway was constructed in a phased manner, considering the presence of a live taxiway. This approach ensured minimal disruption to the airport’s operations while facilitating the expansion.
In his address during the inauguration ceremony, Scindia expressed his satisfaction with the completion of this vital expansion project. He highlighted the importance of modernising and upgrading infrastructure to meet the growing demands of air travel, contributing to the development of the aviation sector and the nation’s economy.
The dual elevated Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT) will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 55,000 tonnes annually. It will connect Northern and Southern airfields and reduce taxi distance for aircraft by 7 km. The ECT will help in enhancing the passenger experience by reducing time spent on the tarmac by flyers after landings and before take-offs. The taxiways can handle big aircraft including A-380 and B-777.
“India is at an inflection point in her long history of civil aviation. India is aiming high; it is aiming to touch the sky. From about 70 million passengers per year as the biggest airport in India, the Delhi Airport will soon become one of the largest airports in the world at 109 million passengers per year,” he said. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, DIAL, said, “This significant milestone at Delhi Airport reaffirms our commitment to excellence in delivering world-class aviation infrastructure. The successful completion of the 4th Runway and Eastern Cross Taxiway would not have been possible without the concerted efforts and support of various teams, including the Civil Aviation Ministry, AERA, AAI, BCAS, CISF, contractors, and airport personnel. Their unwavering support and cooperation throughout this transformative endeavour have paved the way for enhanced connectivity and operational capabilities at Delhi Airport.”
[ad_2]
Source link
