Air Taxi: Big update revealed regarding Air Taxi. Delhi’s new Master Plan 2047 introduces various proposals concerning air travel within the city. Notably, for the first time in a Delhi master plan, air taxis and air pods are mentioned. The central government has officially notified this plan, and it is now in effect. The master plan outlines two new transportation options for the future.
First – Inland waterways utilizing the Yamuna and Sahibi River, including the Najafgarh drain and canals.
Second – air transport, which encompasses air pods and air taxis.
While details regarding the operation of air taxis, including takeoff and landing locations, the overseeing agency, and their operational timeline remain unclear, air taxis have already been prioritized in the master plan. Their inclusion is significant; once a transport mode is part of a city’s master plan, it can simplify the processes of land allocation, regulation formulation, and approval acquisition. Previously, air travel in Delhi’s master plan mainly referred to airports.
Additionally, a new route to Jewar Airport
The most notable proposal from an aviation standpoint in the Master Plan is a new strategic connection from Delhi to Noida International Airport, Jewar, referred to as “Strategic Link Two.” This will extend the Urban Extension Road Two to the south, starting at NH-8, Dwarka, and continuing to Jewar Airport via the Noida and Greater Noida Expressways.
The master plan also indicates that these strategic links should be developed as mass transit systems wherever feasible, meaning they could incorporate not only roads but also mass transit options like metro or rapid rail. This would facilitate access from Delhi to Jewar without the need for a private vehicle. Four such strategic links have been identified in Delhi.
Northern extension of UER-1
From NH-1 to Loni-Baghpat Expressway
From Dwarka Sector-21 to HUDA City Centre, Gurugram
This includes a connection from Dwarka to the AIIMS campus in Jhajjar.
A direct link between two airports: Delhi will now feature two major airports: Indira Gandhi International Airport and Jewar Airport, also known as Noida International Airport. Plans are underway for seamless multimodal connectivity between these airports, whether by road, rail, or other transport methods. This initiative aims to enhance passenger and cargo movement and improve regional connectivity within Delhi-NCR.
According to the master plan, new projects like the Jewar Airport, the Dedicated Freight Corridor, and the Industrial Corridor are set to revolutionize the transportation of passengers and goods in Delhi. However, this may put additional strain on the current transportation system, making proactive measures crucial.
The Master Plan also outlines the use of airport land by the AAI. Development regulations will align with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The AAI will have the authority to create, modify, and enforce regulations as necessary over time.
Land value capture can be utilized to generate funds for infrastructure. In simple terms, this involves investing a portion of the increased value from land after development back into infrastructure projects. Aerocity is also highlighted separately. In the areas of Delhi Cantonment and the Airport, which encompass Aerocity, the respective authorities will establish their own regulations.
What facilities will be constructed at the airport?
As per the master plan, all airport and passenger-related amenities approved by the AAI can be established on the airport land. The airport is also designated as a transport hub where facilities such as hotels, budget accommodations, service apartments, guest houses, and boarding lodgings can be developed. This category further includes ISBTs, bus depots, multimodal hubs, and railway stations.
Helipads on Hospitals and High-Rise Buildings
Aerial access is also proposed as part of disaster management. Helipads could be constructed on the rooftops of high-rise buildings and major hospitals to facilitate the use of air ambulances for rapid rescue and relief in emergencies. This facility would be in accordance with the Unified Building Bylaws and other relevant regulations.
The master plan describes Dwarka as Delhi’s international gateway. Its proximity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport is a key reason. The metro network, Dwarka Expressway, and UER-2 are also cited as its strengths. A 34-hectare diplomatic enclave is being developed here, which could transform Dwarka into a major hub for business and diplomacy.
The height limit rule is also a technical provision in the Master Plan. Buildings will not be permitted to rise above the limits set by the Airports Authority of India. In such cases, the ground coverage limit is increased from 40 percent to 50 percent to achieve the required FAR. This means that where building height is limited, a slightly larger area may be permitted to be built on the ground.