Standard Post with Image

Needed: An Integrated Plan for Better NCR to Airport Links

  • New Delhi The Union Urban Development Ministry has called for better integration of plans to connect the Indira Gandhi International Airport with the National Capital Region. The Ministry once again asked Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and other agencies to work towards better connectivity, which would result in the development of the NCR as whole, at a meeting held by secretary Sudhir Krishna last week.Krishna told Newsline that the NCR Planning Board would play an active role in the airport connectivity project.
  • “We have asked all the agencies concerned to work out a plan to ensure better accessibility of the airport from within the city and, at the same time, integrate it with the NCR. This may be achieved through new road networks or strengthening the existing ones. Planning cannot be done in an isolated manner keeping just Delhi-specific problems in mind. Also, the various agencies need to work together,’’ Krishna said.In 2010, with a green signal from the then Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, a direct road to connect West Delhi with the airport called the Western Access Road, was planned. Though the project was branded as a priority ahead of the Commonwealth Games, nothing much has happened on ground till date.
  • Sources within the ministry said several agencies are working on isolated plans to decongest the airport area. “For instance, the Public Works Department has a plan to create a bypass connecting the the Mehrauli-Mahipalpur Road to the NH-8 junction near Shiv Murti, which would also provide a third link to Gurgaon and also ease traffic to Dwarka. Other agencies like NHAI, DIAL and DDA also have their plans for this area. So, we need an integrated approach,’’ the official said.
  • “DIAL wanted to carry out a fresh study on improving airport accessibility within and outside the airport. But there are many studies being carried out by several agencies already. PWD has hired RITES for corridor improvement of Outer Ring Road from IIT to NH-8 intersection, which is also related to decongesting the route to the airport. So, all these issues need to be brought under one umbrella to ensure planning for the entire ” the official said.

Source