Jewar airport: potential passengers divided over ‘safety’ and ‘reduced travel time’

One of the most awaited public infrastructure projects in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh’s Jewar is likely to be commissioned within a few months. Once operational, it is expected to become the preferred choice of those living in Noida, Greater Noida and other cities like Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Meerut and Agra in western UP.

A lot has to do with the airport’s location – its proximity to the Yamuna Expressway (Greater Noida to Agra), the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (Kundli–Ghaziabad–Palwal) and the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, all of which are under construction. Work is also underway on the high-speed metro corridor between Ghaziabad and Jewar.

The airport seems to be a natural choice for those in the NCR who live closer to Jewar than the IGI airport. However, many frequent flyers The Hindu spoke to expressed mixed feelings about traveling to Noida International Airport to catch their flights. Some were worried about issues like security and traffic compared to Delhi airport, which is busy 24 hours a day and has 24/7 security. Others, however, were looking forward to a significant reduction in travel time and the flourishing of their businesses with the commencement of operations at Jewar Airport.

‘a matter of habit’

For Alwar-based Adya Goyal, IGI Airport is deeply embedded in all itineraries that involve flying. She said the Jewar airport will not affect her plans, at least in the short term.

“I feel IGI airport has better transport links and infrastructure and is safer. As a woman, accessibility is essential for me. Unless the flights are 20% cheaper in Jewar, I don’t think I would go there,” Ms Goyal said.

Harshita Verma, 24, a resident of Vrindavan (84 km), felt that in time the new airport, which is 70 km closer to her home, would become as good as the one in the capital. She was more worried about the likelihood of an endless tourism boom.

“Vrindavan is a small town. It is populated by tourists all year round anyway. Once the Jewar airport is operational, the influx of tourists will become a big problem for us. There are already too many vehicles in Vrindavan,” she said.

Harsh Bansal, who runs a solar company from Firozabad, barely 45 km from Agra, said the new airport will help provide much-needed facilities to businesses in western hill towns like Aligarh, Agra and Mathura. “Tourist sites and cultural centers will be more accessible.”

“Less Flights”

Anusha Arif, who hails from Aligarh and is pursuing her MS from the US, said Noida International Airport could cut her travel time by up to three hours if and when there are direct flights between the US and Jews.

“Of course there will be no direct flights initially. I would have to take connecting flights to Jewar, which would end up taking as long as it takes me to travel from IGI airport,” said the 24-year-old.

She added: “With Delhi, there is a bonus in terms of hotel and lounge facilities as well as easy availability of taxis at any time of the day. The same may not be the case in Jewar. At least initially.”

For 26-year-old Oindrilla Chaudhary, an entrepreneur based in Greater Noida West, the two airports would be equidistant. However, the Jewar airport would save her from the traffic snarls of Delhi. “I can reach Jewar in an hour. It takes at least 1.5 hours and sometimes up to 2.5 hours to reach Delhi airport,” said Ms. Chaudhary.

Bus connectivity

Regarding last mile connectivity concerns in Jewar, a Regional Transport Authority (RTO) official said that a committee comprising officials of RTOs from Noida and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority has prepared a plan to connect the airport with the bus network and sent it to the departmental headquarters in Lucknow.

“The panel looked into the bus routes, including the number and type of buses. The report is awaiting approval, which is expected by the end of the month,” the official said.

He added, “The airport will be added to the routes of buses originating from Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Meerut, Ghaziabad and Noida. Air-conditioned buses will also ply the route.”

‘Only Promises’

However, the residents of Jewar and the surrounding area were not convinced by the authorities’ promise to connect the area with buses, trains and metro networks.

Residents of Jewar point out that so many years after the airport work started, public transport has still not reached the area.

In Kishorpur, adjacent to the airport, roads are broken and the air is full of dust due to construction work in the area. An elderly couple was sitting by the road waiting for a bus.

“Only one or two buses ply here. That too, whenever the drivers feel like it. To get a ride, we have to climb the Yamuna Expressway using ropes,” said the woman.

Mukesh, who has set up a snack shop in the area, said the nearest railway stations are at Palwal, which is 30 km away, and Khurja, which is 33 km away. “If you want to get on the bus, you have to be prepared to spend the whole day waiting,” he added.

Published – 17 March 2025 01:17 IST