NEW DELHI: In a momentous event on July 14, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the dual elevated Eastern Cross Taxiways and the fourth runway at the Delhi airport. This significant development takes place at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the largest airport in the country, handling over 1,500 aircraft movements daily.

The Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT), spanning an impressive 2.1 kilometers, are designed to reduce passenger waiting time on the tarmac both after landing and before take-off. Furthermore, the ECT sets Delhi airport apart as the sole airport in the nation to possess an elevated taxiway with roads running beneath it.

Connecting the northern and southern airfields on the eastern side of the airport, the ECT significantly shortens the taxiing distance for aircraft by seven kilometers. It is equipped to handle wide-body aircraft such as the A-380, B-777, and B-747.

With the addition of the fourth runway, designated as RW 09/27, along with the existing runways RW 11R/29L, RW 10/28, and RW 11L/29R, the airport's operational capacity is further expanded.

The operation of IGIA is overseen by the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), led by the GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd consortium.

Minister Scindia expressed his belief that the civil aviation sector in India is at the dawn of a growth phase. He anticipates a substantial increase in the number of domestic planes, projecting an escalation from the current 720 to 1,500.

Scindia emphasized the contribution of the civil aviation sector to India's economic prowess, citing the aircraft orders placed by airlines, including Air India. He declared, "India is aiming high... This marks the beginning of the growth phase of the civil aviation sector." These remarks were made in anticipation of the inauguration of the fourth runway and the Eastern Cross Taxiways at the Delhi airport.

Furthermore, Scindia revealed that he has urged the Delhi airport operator, DIAL, to complete the construction of the fourth terminal by October.

G.M. Rao, the Group Chairman of GMR Group, acknowledged that the ECT and the fourth runway will greatly enhance operational efficiency and boost capacity. He shared these sentiments during the inauguration ceremony of the fourth runway and the ECT at the airport.

Civil aviation sector contributes to growth phase: Scindia