Ghaziabad's Hindon Airport Set for Major Upgrade to Ease Passenger Congestion
The Airports Authority of India has officially commenced a significant expansion project at the Hindon Civil Terminal in Ghaziabad, promising to transform the travel experience for passengers within the next six months. This strategic enhancement aims to address growing congestion issues and streamline operations at Delhi-NCR's secondary aviation hub.
Terminal Expansion Details and Infrastructure Improvements
Under the comprehensive renovation plan, the terminal building will undergo substantial modifications to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. The number of check-in and service counters will see a notable increase from the current nine to twelve, providing more processing points for travelers. Simultaneously, the vehicle kerb area outside the terminal will more than double in width, expanding from 3.5 meters to an impressive 8 meters.
Chilka Mahesh, the civil terminal director, explained to TOI that the expansion involves assimilating approximately 9 meters of space within the airport premises toward the city side into the terminal structure. "The additional space, measuring about 272 square meters, will be strategically utilized to install additional counters and significantly widen the kerbside area," Mahesh stated. "This enhancement will provide sufficient bandwidth for vehicles at both the entry and exit points of the terminal, effectively addressing the current issues of congestion and lengthy queues that passengers frequently encounter."
Passenger Capacity and Operational Impact
While the renovation work will not increase the terminal's maximum handling capacity—which remains at 540 passengers per hour—it is expected to dramatically improve passenger comfort and flow. The terminal was originally designed to handle only 300 passengers hourly but has been operating well beyond this threshold due to rising demand.
The expansion comes at a crucial time as Hindon has witnessed exponential growth in passenger footfall since its inauguration in 2019. Annual passenger numbers have skyrocketed from approximately 8,000 to nearly 80,000, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to match this rapid growth trajectory.
Long-Term Development Plans and Current Operations
Beyond the immediate six-month expansion project, AAI is actively pursuing more ambitious long-term plans to substantially scale up the terminal's capabilities. Land acquisition for this next phase—covering 6.8 hectares in Sikandar village—is nearly complete. The district administration has assessed the land cost at approximately Rs 65 crore based on prevailing circle rates, indicating significant investment in the airport's future development.
Currently operating at near-saturation levels with around 20 flights connecting to 16 cities, Hindon serves as a vital secondary airport for Delhi-NCR. Major carriers utilizing the facility include:
- Air India Express connecting to Kolkata, Goa, Jaipur, Chennai, Patna, Varanasi, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, and Bengaluru
- IndiGo serving routes including Ahmedabad, Indore, and Mumbai
- Star Air and FlyBig operating regional flights to smaller cities
The terminal occupies a substantial 42,000-square-meter site, with the building itself covering approximately 22,250 square meters. This expansion represents a critical step in enhancing regional aviation infrastructure and improving connectivity for millions of travelers in the National Capital Region.
