Chaos at Delhi airport’s T3, long queues at ticket counters, immigration, security check
The Delhi International Airport Limited Saturday said it is working to cope with the demand at T3, which includes deployment of additional systems and manpower.
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Sources said there are limited CISF staffers deployed at the airport which leads to chaos and longer waiting time for passengers.(Representational)Long lines at immigration and security, unorganised checking, chaos at the lounge — Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 has become a nightmare for passengers despite authorities reducing flights.
Passengers have been complaining for weeks about how departure from T3 is a tedious process. Visuals from the airport shared on social media show men and women lined up in queues for security check, with some saying they had to wait for two to three hours in the clearance area.
Sudiep Shrivastava (53), an advocate, said, “I have to take flights frequently because of my work but it has become a nightmare. Right from the entrance… it takes 20-30 minutes to enter T3. There are 5-6 lines outside there every day. Then, at baggage drop, we have to wait. The security check area is the worst. One has to stand for hours and there’s so much chaos… It’s physically and mentally exhausting… You have to stand behind 100-200 people. Who would like that?”
Dear @JM_Scindia
Pls go back to T3 in IGI Delhi & do surprise checks. Send spies, friends w/out protocol too pls.
The airport a mess. Nothing’s changed after your trip the other day. Utter chaos. Long queues. Rude staff. Traffic jams outside. I hope you’ll help the public 🙏— Nayantara Rai (@NayantaraRai) December 10, 2022
Personal stylist and consultant Sanjukta Pandey told The Indian Express, “For me, there was no rush at the entrance but the baggage drop was slow. I had a web check-in but security check was a disaster. There was a long queue for scanning at security check, but people later found the machine wasn’t working and there was chaos. People were picking up their bags and laptop and walking towards another end. It was too crowded. Maybe the surge is because it’s the wedding season or due to post-pandemic flights, but it’s very tough.”
Been here from last 30 minutes and still not halfway through the security check line on T3, @DelhiAirport
What is going on?@AAI_Official help please 🙏
#help #airports #waiting pic.twitter.com/p8JLBmqYTz— Riya Bhatia (@riyatennis) December 8, 2022
Airlines, meanwhile, have started asking passengers to come at least 3.5 hours before departure.
Airport officials attributed the queues to fewer counters, smaller space, more passengers and limited security staff.
Addressing the situation, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said it is working to cope with the demand at T3. “We, along with stakeholders such as CISF and Immigration, are working constantly to cope with the demand which includes deployment of additional systems and manpower. We have deployed additional manpower to guide passengers, especially at key choke points, and shifted one additional X-Ray machine. Additional manpower requirements will also have to be addressed by all stakeholders, including CISF and Immigration, to further improve the situation,” it said on Saturday.
Sources said there are limited CISF staffers deployed at the airport which leads to longer waiting time for passengers.
T3 manages over 500 domestic and 250 international flights and a daily passenger load of 1.9-1.95 lakh, making it the busiest point of the Airport. As per DIAL, they have reduced the number of flights for decongestion – from 22 flights per hour (pre-Covid) to 19 flights per hour (November 2022).
Dear @JM_Scindia Just see the crowd at #Delhi T3 Airport
Less Security check counters creating chaos and causing mental stress beside physical pain of spending almost an hour standing in que.@AAI_Official pic.twitter.com/XhLUPzbPJQ
— Sudiep Shrivastava (@sudiepshri) December 10, 2022
Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also addressed the congestion issue in December. He told the media, “Certain airports are facing issues due to congestion. We held several meetings with the ministry, major airports and other officials. We have asked them to take necessary steps to decongest the areas. ‘Bunching’ of flights during peak hours often leads to congestion… At Delhi, now 19 flights are operating per hour instead of 22. We are trying to reduce it further so passengers don’t face problems. At entry point, we are trying to get more personnel deployed. Lastly, at security checkpoint, we gave two suggestions to airports. We should increase the capacity of trolly (hand baggage) and increase number of personnel…”
A DIAL spokesperson said they are also leveraging technology like use of an AI-based passenger tracking system. “In future, implementation of DigiYatra should help reduce waiting time… DIAL is also creating new infrastructure and facilities under Phase 3A expansion plan, like opening of new T1 Arrivals and phased opening of integrated T1,” he said.
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