Delhi Airport high footfall, Why authority not been able to handle it?

Amid complaints of long lines and chaos at IGI Airport Terminal 3 in Delhi, Ministry of Civil Aviation officials and DIAL officials have devised a plan to reduce waiting times. Changes at the airport include digital panels showing wait times at each gate and reduced flights during peak hours between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., among others.

Indigo Airlines has issued a travel advisory, asking passengers to arrive at the airport at least 3.5 hours before domestic departures. It has also asked passengers to carry only one piece of hand luggage weighing 7kg for smooth security screening.

Amid growing passenger complaints about long lines and waiting hours at the country's largest airport in recent days, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and stakeholders have taken various measures to deal with the situation.

Officials said an action plan has been drawn up after the minister's visit to T3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Monday morning.

Hundreds of people have tweeted photos and videos showing long lines and massive congestion at the Delhi airport. Some people, mostly frequent travellers, have claimed that they have been experiencing chaotic scenes at the Delhi airport for the past few months and that it is not a recent problem.

"As usual, total chaos at the entry point of Delhi airport. CISF makes sure you spend 15-20 minutes just to enter the terminal event at 7:15am. And what about immigration/ Well, let's find out, but I don't think it's going to be easy," tweeted motoring journalist Ishan Raghava this morning.

"The chaos at Delhi Airport continues. After 50 minutes for immigration, now in the security queue. Already spent 1 hour 15 minutes just trying to get through the terminal..." Mr Raghav tweeted.

Travel advisory & check-in update

"The Delhi airports are experiencing high footfalls and the check-in and boarding time is expected to be longer than usual.Passengers are requested to reach the airport at least 3.5 hrs prior to domestic departures, and to carry only 01 piece of hand baggage weighing 7 kgs for a smooth security check," Indigo said in a statement on Twitter.

• As part of the action plan, the number of flights from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. will be reduced and moving some flights to T1 and T2 or non-peak hours in T3 will also be explored, they said.

• Peak hours are 5 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 8 pm.

• IGIA has three terminals: T1, T2 and T3. All international flights and some domestic services operate from T3. On average, it handles around 1.90 lakh passengers and around 1,200 flights daily.

• At the national T3, additional ATRS (Automatic Tray Retrieval System) machines will be installed for baggage screening to help reduce congestion, officials said.

• Before the coronavirus pandemic, there were 13 ATRS machines installed on the ground: 11 for passengers + 2 for crew and specially trained.

• Complete your web-check in process ahead of the flight for added convenience.

• Use the nearest gate to the counter of the flight that you are taking. For example, if you are taking Indigo from Terminal 3, then use gates 5 and 6.

• Digital display boards showing waiting time at each entry gate and at least one waiting time board at the terminal checkpoint will be put in place. Keep following the updates constantly.

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