The Noida International Airport project at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary DS Mishra has directed the Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) to ensure the completion of all construction work by September 29, 2024. This directive aims to expedite preparations for the airport’s commercial operations, which are slated to commence by December 2024.
Chief Secretary Mishra, accompanied by officials from Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), conducted a thorough site inspection recently to assess the progress of the ambitious greenfield project. This inspection follows recent challenges reported by YIAPL, citing delays primarily due to steel shortages, pushing the anticipated operational start from late 2024 to April 2025. During the inspection, YIAPL representatives informed Mishra about ongoing construction activities, including the critical Air Traffic Control (ATC) building being handled by Tata Projects Limited. They assured that the ATC building would be handed over to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) by August 2024 for the installation of necessary equipment.
Following the site visit, a comprehensive review meeting was convened to address crucial aspects such as security arrangements involving the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and compliance with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations. Mishra emphasized the necessity for seamless coordination among all stakeholders to resolve pending issues and ensure adherence to stipulated timelines. NIAL officials confirmed that approximately 78.11% of the Noida Airport project is already completed, reflecting substantial progress towards the ambitious venture. YIAPL, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, is spearheading the project under a 40-year public-private partnership agreement with the Uttar Pradesh and Indian governments. The directive to expedite construction aligns with efforts to meet growing aviation demands in the National Capital Region (NCR) and bolster regional economic development through enhanced air connectivity. As work accelerates towards achieving operational readiness by December 2024, stakeholders are expected to intensify efforts to overcome logistical challenges and ensure the timely inauguration of this pivotal infrastructure project for Uttar Pradesh.
“The Airport Authority of India has informed that the installation of the equipment will be completed by September, 2024. Electric lighting work is currently underway on the runway and on the apron. Along with navigation equipment, glide path antennas and localisers have been installed near the runway. On this, instructions were given by the chief secretary that all types of equipment will be provided by the Airport Authority of India,” said Arun Vir Singh, chief executive officer of NIAL and Yeida who attended the meeting. “Installation of an automated baggage handling system is in progress. It was also informed by the concessionaire that so far 37 million safe work hours have been successfully done. On this, the chief secretary directed that according to the milestone, the development of the airport should be completed by September, 2024 and in every case the commercial operation of the airport should be started by December, 2024,” The CEO said
