breakingtravelnews.in BTNIndia
New Delhi, The world class new Integrated Terminal 3 (T3) of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) Delhi, built under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, was today dedicated to the nation by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). The Foundation Stone for T3, one of the largest airport terminals in the world, was laid by Smt. Gandhi in February 2007 and the construction was completed in a record 37 months.
Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation, Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi, G M Rao, Chairman GMR Group, the lead partner of the consortium that developed the Airport, industry captains and senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and regulatory bodies were present at the formal inauguration of the new T3 of IGIA.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister said “Today is a very special occasion for our country. We are all very happy and indeed very proud of the completion of our one of the world’s largest airport terminals in a record time of 37 months. This airport terminal establishes new global bench marks. It also exemplifies our country’s resolve to bridge and bridge fast enough the infrastructure deficit in our country. “
He said “The aviation sector is a vital to India’s sustained economic growth. It plays a major role in generating tourist flow, accelerating industrial development, creating new jobs and integrating our country. In a span of a few years, India has become the 9th largest aviation market in the world.” He further added that “We now have 10 scheduled airlines operating in our country, compared to 2 in 1990. In the same period, the scheduled aircraft deployed by the Indian carriers has gone up four times, from 100 to about 400. It is estimated that India’s aviation sector has the potential to absorb up to US$ 120 billion of investment by the year 2020.” Analysts predict that domestic traffic can reach 160 to 180 million and international traffic in excess of 50 million by the year 2020. India also occupies an important geographical place in the air route structure of the world. Many key international air traffic services cross the air space in which India is responsible for providing air traffic services. Hub traffic out of Delhi and Mumbai will increase particularly in the coming years, he added.
The Prime Minister said “An airport is often the first introduction to a country. A good airport would signal the arrival of new India, committed to join the ranks of modern, industrialized nations of the world. We should have airports that are receptive to the comfort of passengers even as they meet the highest standards of efficiency and safety. They should employ the most modern of technologies but also exude cultural warmth.”
He said “We need to create safe, secure, efficient and environment friendly systems conducive to healthy growth of our civil aviation sector. Our regulatory and policy framework also needs to be aligned with the needs of the civil aviation industry to encourage serious investment in this vital sector. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is being strengthened. The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority has been set up as a regulator for the airport sector for monitoring issues like airport charges and service standards. We have made considerable progress in this regard. To give an example, the Delhi airport has improved its rank sharply in terms of Air Service Quality (ASQ) performance, from 101 in 2007 to 21 in 2010. After the opening of this new terminal we are hopeful that the airport will shortly rank within the first 10 airports of the world.