The National Capital Region (NCR) is all set for the construction of a second international airport. The proposal for this airport was approved by the Union Cabinet in the first week of January. The demand for a second airport in Delhi has been felt for a long time and by various people, including tourists and business travelers.
The airport is to be called the Taj International Aviation Hub, or TIAH. It is to be built in a small village called Javer near Greater Noida. The airport will complement the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, which is towards the western edge of Delhi, and serves both Delhi and Gurgaon. At the time IGI was built, it was thought to be sufficient for NCR’s needs. However, the IT boom in Noida has created a surge in travelers to and from this economic hub.
The airport would also be a positive move for the tourism industry, serving foreign travelers bound for the Taj Mahal. Keeping this in mind, the airport is located right next to the Taj Expressway (a highway connecting Delhi and Agra that is still under construction). Once the airport is active, tourists wising to visit the Taj Mahal can land at the TIAH and take a direct route to Agra, instead of being forced to first weave through Delhi.
The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has already started the process of acquiring land in Javer for the project. The airport and related facilities is expected to utilize as much as 1400-1500 acres of land. The cost of the TIAH project is estimated at around Rs.3,500 crores. The METRO mass transit system will also be linked to the airport in order to make things more convenient for travelers.
Greater NOIDA itself is expected to become a business and tourism hub. The property market here is already on an upswing and an international airport will definitely support higher prices and more development.