Noida Airport Delayed, UP Govt Imposes Rs. 10 Lac Per Day Fines to Speed Up Work

Noida airport is still under construction after back to back delays due to which the Uttar Pradesh government has directed the developers of Noida International Airport to speed up construction work.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed setting fresh targets for domestic flights to commence by May 15 and international operations by June 25. The airport was originally set for completion by September 2024, but the deadline was later extended to April 2025. However, with further setbacks becoming evident, officials have been asked to enforce penalty clauses for delays.

Heavy Fines Imposed for Missed Deadlines

To ensure accountability, the state government has decided to levy a fine of Rs.10 lakh per day on the concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL). The penalty has been in effect since January 1, factoring in a three-month grace period after the initial deadline lapsed. This amounts to Rs.3 crore per month until the airport becomes operational.

A TOI report quoted Arun Vir Singh, CEO of Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL), explained that while the agreement for the airport was signed in October 2020, progress was hampered by the pandemic. The construction contract was awarded to Tata Projects in June 2022, and an additional grace period was granted due to unavoidable setbacks.

Urgent Measures to Accelerate Progress

In response to the mounting pressure, NIAL has asked YIAPL to present a revised execution plan to prevent further slippage of deadlines. As a temporary measure, the airport will initially begin operations with six aerobridges instead of the originally planned ten.

One of the biggest factors contributing to the delay is the slow progress on the terminal building. The airport's contractors have blamed the extended monsoon season in 2024 for setbacks. Currently, around 8,000 workers are engaged at the site, and additional manpower, equipment, and subcontractors are being brought in to speed up construction.

"We recently met with the Airports Authority of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to discuss corrective steps and ensure the project is back on track," Singh said.

Architectural Design Poses Challenges

Apart from weather-related delays, the airport's terminal building itself presents unique construction challenges. The façade has been designed to reflect the heritage of Varanasi and Haridwar, with a central courtyard for natural ventilation and a wavy roof inspired by river flows. This intricate design has added to the complexity of the construction process.