The Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is on the brink of commencing operations,
NEW DELHI — The Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is on the brink of commencing operations, according to a recent statement from Tata Projects, the company handling the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract.
Vinayak Pai, the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Projects, confirmed during a press briefing that the bulk of the construction work is complete, and the focus has now shifted entirely to the final regulatory clearance process.
Focus Shifts to Regulatory Clearance
Tata Projects has essentially finished the physical construction required for Phase I of the airport. Pai stated, “By and large our work is ready for the Prime Minister to come and inaugurate.”
The immediate next steps are purely regulatory, involving close collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airport operator, Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL), is actively working to secure the necessary safety, security clearances, and the critical aerodrome licence. This licence is the final clearance required to begin commercial flight operations.
Earlier reports indicated that NIAL had set an operational goal for December of this year. The Ministry of Civil Aviation recently sought a status check on the project, specifically inquiring about how soon the airport could begin operations. Other key steps already completed include:
- The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has cleared the airport’s security preparedness.
- The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has overseen the installation of all Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management systems.
- The terminal building (Phase I), the single 3,900-meter runway, and the integrated cargo hub are all reported to be ready.
Connectivity and Infrastructure Boost
The launch of NIA is a major economic catalyst for Western Uttar Pradesh, driving industrial and urban development. To support the airport’s imminent opening, connectivity projects are being fast-tracked:
- Ganga Expressway Link: The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is accelerating work on a 74-kilometer greenfield link expressway. This corridor will connect the airport to the existing Ganga Expressway, significantly improving access from cities like Meerut, Bulandshahr, Khurja, and Syana.
- Integrated Transport Hub: Plans are in place for a multi-modal transport hub that will integrate rail (including Namo Bharat train), bus services, and a proposed metro link at a later stage.
The first phase of the airport will handle 12 million passengers per annum (MPPA). NIA’s opening is also a strategic move to ease the congestion burden on the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi. It will spur regional aviation growth across the National Capital Region (NCR).
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