Noida International Airport is going to be one of the biggest air travel and logistics hubs in India. In order to further improve its connectivity, a major rail link project has been proposed. This 61 km railway line, which was initially designed to connect Noida Airport to major routes such as Howrah, Chennai, and Mumbai, has undergone significant revisions. The route, initially planned to pass through an underground tunnel near the Ground Transportation Centre of the airport, will now be rearranged to pass closer to the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility and aviation hubs.
This change is directed towards countering issues concerning the cost and feasibility of tunneling, which are expected to be severe in the soil conditions. The new alignment would have a separate railway station close to the MRO hub. It would facilitate easy access for passengers as well as cargo.
New Alignment for the Railway Tracks
The original proposal was for an underground track with an 11 kilometer tunnel beneath the GTC. After reviewing extensive plans, NIAL flagged these as challenges in the submitted proposal. The massive tunnel would be cost-prohibitive and possibly infeasible because of the soil conditions which are challenging.
The GTC will occupy a central place in the airport’s infrastructure since it was planned to accommodate 20 acres of land between two terminals.
The facility should allow direct access to several modes of transport such as buses, metro, rapid rail and pod taxis in order for passengers to move about freely without leaving the terminal to arrive at their destinations. It suggested that the tracks of the railway would go directly to this centre but the NIAL CEO, Arun Vir Singh revealed his reservations on the long-term implications. He averred that the underground railway could pose technical problems to be encountered and thus the future development of the airport might be confined.
YIAPL’s Proposal: Efficient Solution
In September, the concessionaire of the airport, Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), presented an alternative proposal in which the railway tracks would be constructed along the boundary of the MRO and aviation hubs. The strategic shift would position the railway station near the eastern campus of the airport, to be efficiently connected to the multi-modal cargo hub through a well-planned road network.
YIAPL CEO Christoph Schnellmann further suggested shuttle services could be established to link the new railway station with the passenger terminal, making transfers between the station and the airport seamless for travelers. This would not only improve connectivity but also reduce congestion within the core areas of the airport.
Benefits of the Revised Plan
The new railway plan is expected to provide the following benefits for passengers as well as the wider ecosystem of the airport:
- Easy Access: New railway station will be built close to MRO and Aviation Hubs, so access for passengers traveling to or from the airport will be hassle-free.
- Cost-Effective Solution: The new plan avoids a costly underground tunnel, offering a more affordable and sustainable solution to connect the airport with major cities.
- Future Development Space: The new alignment has eliminated technical barriers in the process of tunneling and created ample space for the expansion of the airport in the future.
- Easy Transportation Interconnections: Shuttle services and a network of roads well linked to the station and terminal ensure efficient, fast, and safe transit.
GTC role
GTC: GTC (ground transportation centre) is an infrastructure project that helps to provide smooth travel through and out of the airport. With 30 million passengers expected in the third development phase, this GTC will provide seamless, integrated access to multiple modes of transport. Buses, metro, rapid rail, and pod taxis will all connect directly to the GTC, allowing travelers to change between modes of transport easily, without leaving the terminal.
Nevertheless, the idea of the original plan connecting the GTC to the railway line under the ground met with huge opposition, forcing a review in the design of the railway route. It enhanced the connectivity between the proposed MRO hub, airport facilities, and the station from which the train would run-a much more viable and effective option for passengers and cargo.
Future for Noida International Airport
After getting the approval from Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Department, NIAL has directed North Central Railway to prepare a new plan on the basis of new alignment. This will also make the construction process more smooth so that the railway line becomes a part of transportation infrastructure at the airport.
Conclusion
The revised plans of the Noida International Airport are a significant move towards increasing connectivity between the major cities of the country with the improved passenger experience at the airport.
A route near the MRO and aviation hubs helps to bring feasibility issues while opening a future expansion opportunity. As Noida International Airport expands its operations, this updated version will help the airport truly become a major aviation and logistics hub in India.
Refer :
Economic Times, Link to article
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