The Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar is opening soon, in just four months! But many people are wondering how they will get to the airport since there aren’t many public transport options right now.
Jewat is about 90 km from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), 70 km from Connaught Place, 60 km from Noida City Centre, and 40 km from Pari Chowk in Greater Noida. This shows that there’s a big need for better transport to make it easy for people in the National Capital Region (NCR) to use the new airport.
Current Transport Issues
The airport hopes to serve 5-6 million passengers in its first year, but it needs better transport quickly. Right now, only a few private and UP Roadways buses connect Jewar with nearby areas.
Long-term plans include a new rapid rail line and metro service that will link the airport to Delhi’s metro system, but these won’t be ready until 2030. To help solve the immediate transport problem, the NIA is working with Mahindra Mobility to start an electric taxi service and is also setting up a city bus network with local authorities.
Cost of Travel to the Airport
Although intercity cabs are available, they can be very expensive. For example, a cab from Noida Sector 52 to the airport costs about ₹1,365, and a ride from Pari Chowk costs around ₹893. Many people feel these prices are too high, especially when they are already buying flight tickets. As Rajeev Singh, a resident of Indirapuram, said, “I’d rather book a flight from Delhi, where the metro makes travel easier.”
Proposed Bus Services
The quickest solution could be a new bus service. There are plans for 175 to 200 buses that will connect Jewar to important places like the Botanical Garden Metro Station and Pari Chowk. Buses will also go to cities like Bulandshahr and Khurja, with bookings available through a mobile app. Arun Vir Singh, the CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, said, “This service will help airport passengers and commuters.” However, he added that the details on how it will work are still being discussed.
Concerns About The Airport’s Success
Some experts worry about whether the airport will attract international passengers because it’s close to popular tourist spots like Agra and Mathura. They believe without reliable transport options, many travelers will choose IGI Airport instead, which is much easier to reach. S. Velmurugan, a traffic expert, pointed out that if these problems aren’t fixed soon, people will keep choosing IGI Airport over the new one.
Looking at Other Airports
Delhi’s IGI Airport has great transport options including a metro line, buses, and taxis. Similarly, Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport has a solid bus network. These examples show that Noida’s new airport needs to focus on making travel easier for everyone.
Efforts for Better Connectivity
Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a company set up by Zurich AG, is working hard to solve the transport problem. They are collaborating with the Uttar Pradesh government and the Central government to create convenient transport options. Right now, there’s only a 750-meter elevated road connecting the airport to the Yamuna Expressway, but they have to build a full transport network before the airport opens.
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