Chaos at Delhi airport’s T3: Travellers share videos, pictures of crowd; airport says ’security has been stepped...’

Stepped-up security checks ahead of Independence Day celebrations in the national capital have caused widespread disarray at Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport, leading to serpentine queues and rampant confusion for passengers.

In posts on X (formerly Twitter), several passengers shared videos and pictures of the crowd and the “pathetic situation” at Delhi airport while complaining that the airlines did not send any messages or make announcements regarding the situation at the T3 terminal.

Sharing a video of the T3 terminal, Kartik Jindal (@CAKartikJindal) highlighted the lack of resources as the reason behind the chaos. Jindal—a CA student—said the number of passengers has increased daily, but the resources are the same. People have to wait for 2-3 hours for security checks.

Jindal posted on X, “This is not railway station nor bus stand nor any public park, This is our world famous IGI Airport Terminal 3 New Delhi, 2-3 hours waiting time for security, Passengers is been increasing day by day but resources is same as before.”

Another user, Aashir (@theawkwardstoic), was unsatisfied with the crowd management at the airport and complained that there was no support from the airport staff. Sharing pictures of the overcrowded T3 Terminal, Aashir said, “Horrible scenes at the T3 airport. Huge long queues, no support from the airport staff, poor crowd management. It is 3pm, definitely not peak rush hours.”

Sharing a video of the situation at Delhi airport, NK Singh (@navsnova), another X user, said security clearance was taking too long, which has overcrowded the airport terminals both outside and inside. He noted that the Digi Yatra Office was also not working properly, and people had to wait hours for clearance.

“Very pathetic situation these days at @DelhiAirport @CISFHQ takes too much time to clear security process due to that it becomes too much rush outside and inside @DigiYatraOffice also does not work properly, people are waiting hours to get cleared @RamMNK pathatic👎👎

A traveller, Junaid Merchant (@JunzMerchant), said several people will miss their flights if security checkups at Delhi airport do not speed up.

What Delhi airport said?

Meanwhile, Delhi airport said that its on-ground officials are trying their best to minimize any inconvenience caused to the passengers and are working closely with CISF officials to ensure a smooth travelling experience. The Delhi airport said that security has been stepped up ahead of Independence Day, and subsequently, the security check procedure is taking more time.

Taking to X, Delhi airport posted, “Dear Passenger, We understand your concern. Please be assured our on-ground officials are trying their best to minimize any inconvenience caused to the passengers and working closely with CISF officials for smooth travelling experience at Delhi Airport.”

Further, we would like to apprise you that security at Delhi Airport has been stepped up ahead of Independence Day and subsequenty, the security check procedure is taking more time. Any inconvenience caused to you is deeply regretted.”

It is important to note that the Delhi airport, also known as Indra Gandhi International (IGI) airport has been ranked among the top 10 busiest airports across the globe for 2023. As per the ACI data the IGI airport handled over 7.22 crore flyers in 2023. The airport was at 9th position in 2022.

India is set to commemorate its 78th Independence Day on August 15 and the authorities have enhanced security arrangements across the national capital in the run-up to Independence Day over intelligence inputs of possible disruption by anti-national elements. An extra layer of security has been added at every important place in view of the intelligence inputs.