Delhi Traffic Police identifies designated waiting areas near Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to tackle rampant roadside parking by app-based cab drivers
NEW DELHI
Commuters travelling to and from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport may soon experience significantly smoother journeys. The Delhi Traffic Police has identified designated parking areas for app-based and commercial cabs near Terminals 1, 2, and 3 — a move aimed at eliminating the chronic roadside congestion that has long plagued the airport’s access roads.
A senior Delhi Traffic Police official confirmed that the initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline traffic flow in the airport’s vicinity. “The objective is to ensure smooth movement of vehicles on roads leading to all three terminals,” the official said. “Currently, drivers park along roadsides to avoid paying fees at designated facilities — this creates bottlenecks that affect thousands of travellers daily.”
“Cab drivers park along roadsides to avoid paying fees — this creates bottlenecks that affect thousands of travellers daily.”
THE PLAN: THREE DESIGNATED SITES
Terminal 1 Parking Complex: The first identified location is within the existing parking facility at Terminal 1, where authorities could permit up to 100 cabs to wait at any given time. This site is considered operationally ready and could be activated relatively quickly, pending final approvals.
Mehram Nagar Site: A second location has been identified near Mehram Nagar, a residential village situated close to the airport complex where a large number of cab drivers reside. Officials confirmed that discussions regarding this site are currently underway. Once operational, drivers from the area will be able to conveniently park their vehicles there between trips — reducing the incentive to loiter on airport roads.
Third Undisclosed Location: A third site has also been shortlisted, and authorities are presently in discussions about its development. Further details are expected to be announced once negotiations are finalised.
HOW THE PLAN CAME TOGETHER
The initiative emerged from a joint campaign involving the Delhi Traffic Police, local residents, and the inhabitants of Mehram Nagar village. Working together, they systematically mapped the specific causes of traffic disruption in the airport zone — from unregulated cab parking to unauthorised street vending — and developed targeted remedies.
The enforcement drive that accompanied the planning exercise yielded significant results. Authorities issued 331 e-challans, took action against 89 vehicles under VOCA (Violation of Carriage Act rules), towed away 63 vehicles, and removed 9 unauthorised street vendors from the area.
Traffic Police officials stated that similar enforcement campaigns would continue in the coming weeks to sustain momentum and deter repeat violations.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR TRAVELLERS
IGI Airport handles tens of millions of passengers annually, and smooth road access to its terminals is critical. Congestion on approach roads has been a persistent grievance among travellers, particularly during peak hours and holiday seasons when cab density around the terminals spikes sharply.
If successfully implemented, the designated cab waiting zones could mark a meaningful shift in how airport traffic is managed in the capital — offering a replicable model for other congested transit hubs across Delhi.
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