Airport Watch: The new Delhi T3 Terminal

What started as the Palam Airport serving as an Air Force Station for the Indian Air Force after the 2nd World War, has come a long way. The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has now started the T3 terminal. Surprise, surprise ... Suddenly, the dilapidated old airport looks swanky and squeaky clean.

Though finishing touches are being give at a break-neck speed, there is a sense of shock and awe as you move up the ramp. The first impression that you get is a sight of the huge box like building which is the new parking lot. Great! That was really required. But being the cynic that I am, hope this too doesn't become as bad as the Pallika Parking which had a whole lot of cars parked 365 24/7 (Who did they belong to????)

When you enter the building, you sense space - lots of it. Of course, it helps that the terminal is not yet operational. The natural light filters in and the sun rays reflecting from the glass facade makes you feel good. Barring just a couple of Indian airports make you actually feel good.

The T3 terminal will cater to both international and national (full paid carriers) flights for the moment. After the T4 and T5 are completed in the next phase, the international flight will move to these terminals.

Entrez. You are now at the new shinning immigration of the departure. Impressive, but what happens when they are manned by the Immigration staff? Will the situation be the same as the new low floored green buses scenario? The buses may have changed but the drivers still are the same Delhi Daredevils!!!

The departure counters are fully lined with old and battered suitcases on the test run. T5 Heathrow must be still haunting everyones dreams. The suitcases look scary. They have been battered badly, some out of recognition yet held by ropes and tapes. Airports always have managed to break my suitcase with a 100% regularity. Wonder what T3 holds?

The other thing that impresses is an area called The Canyon. This is the joining point where the departing and the arriving passengers cross each other, albeit at different levels. The lower arrival level has an impressive collage of the yoga mudras. Each mudra is explained on a plage.

Then comes the duty free shopping area. The area looks impressive and very busy with all retailers putting the finishing touches.

The retailer to catch your eye is the upcoming Versace store. After Emporio Mall, this will be the 2nd store for the Italian retailer in Delhi. Other than Versace, all other major retailers are to be seen for perfumes, chocolates, medicines, books, watches, bags, toys and of course liquor.

The area has a central curb which changes the colour of the lights every few minutes.

The departure area.
The arrival area.

The Vitrified tiles give way to exquisitely crafted carpets of two different designs on two floors for domestic and international piers, each about 1.2 km long. They are interspersed with 92 automatic walkways.

The interesting story about these beautiful carpets is that no Indian manufacturer agreed to supply these carpets in the time frame required. A UK based dealer agreed to the time frame and went on to set up a manufacturing unit in Pune and delivered on time!!!

Last and not the least important area are the washrooms. These have been picture coded to avoid any confusion.

So much for the impressive put of of show by the Indian Airport Authority and partners GMR. But the real test will come when T3 becomes operational.

This time I will not be giving any rating to the airport. This will only be given when T3 becomes operational and are manned by the airport staff.

Airport Watch: Delhi Intl - Miniscule Improvement

Over the past one year you notice a little improvement at the international airport. It still is overcrowded and has difficulty handling the masses.

The facilities inside have improved, but...... it still is not Changi.

Facilities: Eating joints have opened all over. The usual Subway, sandwitches, cold drinks are there. But if looking for an eating experience - forget it! Hungry - eat - move. That's it.

The toilets have now become cleaner and no more birds popping in and out of somewhere.

Crowds: The airport is still very crowded. If your flight coincides with any of the London, Canada or US, you'll get the experience of your lifetime. For every departing passenger, there are at least 5 people to see him off. In fact there are buses coming in from all over the countryside - Ropar, Bhatinda, etc full of relatives, friends, neighbors to see off people. And they all come so prepared - ready with blankets, pillows, water bottles and of course armed with at least 2 cell phones. They park themselves just outside the departure gates and get a minute to minute update as what's happening inside, even it it takes a couple of hours.

Parking: Bad. There are 3 types of parking - the regular, the premium and free. The regular parking slots are always full and it is a task to search for an empty slot. The premium parking costs Rs120 and is nearer to the departure. Even this is nearly always full.

Then there is the free parking. (Hahaha) It works like this - if you are arriving and have a chauffeur waiting for your, ask him to park on the side of the main road, some 3-5 Kms before the airport. The moment you land, give him a missed call, and he drives right to the airport and meets you at the designated spot.

Duty free Shopping: Indians know of only two things: Chocolates and whiskey, and that's all that you get. There are some limited perfumes available.

Staff attitude: Looking for smiling friendly people? Forget it! They sulk, frown and do every thing else but smile.

On the whole- arrive, collect your luggage and get out.

If you have to wait for a connecting flight - get a Victor Hugo novel, you just might complete it.

Rating for Indira Gandhi International Airport: 5/10

Lost paradise - Kathmandu city

There was a time when Kathmandu was the place to visit for the long weekend. The shopping was fantastic, the weather great and of course there was gambling for the gambling-starved Indian.

Visiting Kathmandu after a decade is a let down. The city has filth all over. There are beggars at every tourist spot. Children hound you for money at every step.

The shops have nothing which is not available in any Indian metro. All shops accept Indian currency, but only Rs 100 notes - neither Rs500, Rs 1000 or the smaller currency. The change is returned in Nepali currency and candy.

There is just one mall - the Bhat Bhateini. Nothing special here. The only thing one could contemplate shopping is the crockery, of which there is a great variety. But it isn't cheap. Though how you could carry it home is another issue. The mall also has chocolates sold at a bargain.

The other place you could see for shopping is Thamel. Its choc-o-bloc full of shops selling the usual touristy stuff - silver jewelery, tees, shawls, paintings, etc. Bargain at all times - there's no such thing as fixed prices.

The casino at Yak & Yeti was the biggest disappointment. The only reason people seem to have come here is to see the cheapie entertainment. There's a girl, who looks like a guy, surrounded by guys, who look like girls. Everyone is wearing clothes to a minimum. The gyrate ( not dance) to popular Bollywood music. Look like some bar-girls imported from Mumbai. To top it there are groups of Punjabi lalas throwing Rs 100 notes at the dancers. Bad scene.

Travelling in the city is very difficult. The public transport looks scary with small mini-buses filled to capacity. The cabs drive a hard bargain. It it is raining, everything comes to a standstill.

Advice: Carry an umbrella with you at all times.

Patan: The buildings are chipped and are falling apart. The streets have garbage all over. The cash counter selling tickets for entrance to the monuments never have change, so be prepared to forgo the Rs 5 change. Not a pleasant experience.

Kathmandu is a paradise lost.

Airport Watch - Kathmandu - Basic

Tribhuvan Airport, Kathmandu at Nepal is a basic airport. It fulfills its task - letting passengers arrive and take off - that's it. Large improvement since the last time I was here a couple of years back. Its cleaner. Toilets seem cleaner, and immigration more efficient. In general staff seem more professional.

There are just 2 duty free shops selling everything at exorbitent inflated prices. The other 2 duty free shops selling alcohol are closed. They still have the closure notices dated June 08 giving no reason for closure or when they would reopen.

The baggage takes endless time to come.

The touts outside can be pretty annoying. You will be astounded at the mob of people shouting and trying to take your bag to a cab. Just be firm in saying 'No'.

The VIP lounge is comfortable with a TV telecasting all Indian channels. No special facilities - just drinking water but comfortable chairs.

Rating for Kathmandu Airport: 4/10

Airport Watch - Indira Gandhi, Delhi - Still one of worst

Delhi airport ranks among the world's worst airports. Believe me the time spent at the airport is no pleasure.

The airport is currently undergoing a major refurbishment which I thought that things would get worse before they got any better. Sure the construction material is no longer in place, but there seems no earth shattering change. Its old wine in new bottle. The airport is still crowded, the staff still sullen and keep shouting to each other across, though the toilets have changed for the better. They're reasonably clean now

Airport Code : DEL

Airport Name : Indira Gandhi International

GMT Offset : +5.5

Longitude : 77° 5” E

Latitude : 28° 34’ 10” N

Country Code: 91

Telephone: (011) 2566 1000 (Terminal 1) or (011) 2560 2000 (Terminal 2)

Duty Free Shopping: Just 2 Duty free shops with perfumes and alcohol, alcohol and more alcohol. Indians must be the most 'thirsty' people. Nothing more. The floor tiles are broken in one shop, so be careful in your heels. One of the shops is bang in the centre of the airport.

Airport facilities: Toilets are OK, though located in a corner.

Chairs are decently comfortable, but you can't sleep in one if you wanted. There's no sleeping room. No carpeting.

Drinking water: is to be searched.

Signs - few.

First aid - goodness knows where.

Food and Drink - A couple of scattered counters. Just basic sandwiches.

Luggage Trolleys - Free and plentiful.

Pay Phones - A number of Airtel paid phones.

Internet Access - One Counter with 1 laptop

Money and communications: Banks, bureau de change facilities, a post office.

Luggage: There is a left-luggage facility at the premium car park area near Terminal 2 and the standard car park opposite Terminal 1.

Its a bare airport - no landscaping, no beauty. And just nothing to do if you got time to kill.

Advice: Carry a novel.

Transfer between Terminals: Free shuttle running 24 hours

Rating: 3/10 Still the worst

Bangaram Island

Bangaram is an uninhabited island. It is 1-1/2 hr boat ride from Agatti Island. The boats are from another century - a basic boat, without shelter. So start off as early as possible - definitely by 5:30 or max by 6am as it becomes very hot by the time you reach Bangaram. Also since the motor is run on diesel, the fumes can get very overwhelming. The boat man will also be catching your lunch simultaneously. The fish caught are so beautiful that you actually feel sad that they are going to land up on your dining table.

Advice : Sit in front of the boat, as far away as you can from the motor.

The moment you reach the island - you gape at the immense virgin beauty of the island. If you've lived in Mumbai or any other metro city in India, overrun by a sea of humanity, you will surely appreciate the serenity and the raw beauty.

The colours - every shade of green , blue and some other colours which you never even knew existed just overwhelm your senses.


There are huts on the island, but were probably built to keep your luggage or your slippers. This is one place where you will be ALL the time on the beach. Then you go through the same routine of sleeping in the hammock, tanning, swimming in the lagoon, eating the fresh catch, and again swimming in the cleanest waters where you look down and spot all those yellow stripped, blue fish swimming between your legs. Guys, one could get used to this place!

After lunch, we took a boat ride on a glass bottomed boat to see the corals. As the water is abs clear and no factories to kill the corals, there's an abundance of all species of the corals. The view is just breathtaking. The sun is hot and beats down your head, but we never noticed it.


Advice: Carry an umbrella with you all the time.



Bangaram has a helipad. No idea who would be using it but it makes up for a good walk.

Soon it 5pm and time to go back. If you want to stay overnight here, you need to tell the authorities in advance as they get all meals from Agatti. The ride back is rough. The sea was rougher that the morning, and water splashes down your head like a downpour. The handy umbrella comes in use again.

Going to Bangaram is one of the most memorable trips of a lifetime. You start and end with broad smiles. Its a definite for any one if your work is getting to you and you don't want to pay a dime to the doc.

Agatti - Where to stay

Agatti does not have hotels galore. There is the the Agatti Resort where you have to make reservations a year in advance. You simply cannot walk into the island and hunt a hotel, if such a thing was even remotely possible. Travelling to the island closes for tourists between mid April to mid Sept.

The Agatti Resort, a 3 min walk from the airport consists of 20 cottages (A/C, Deluxe & Non A/C). Each hut faces the spotlessly clean palm fringed sandy beach. You could leave your footwear behind in the room for the entire holiday. If only I lived here, think of the small fortune I could save.
The resort's restaurant is the only place where one can have a decent meal. In simple terms that would mean a sandwich. The island has no restaurants where you can sit and dine, except for a few take-aways which have a very limited choice. And if you made the mistake of landing up in the month of Ramazan, your food choices become even more limited. Then you think, what the heck - you never came here for the food anyways!
Advice: Carry your Maggi noodles and packed ready to eat foods.

The other option of staying is the PWD guest house. You need to be a Govt of India employee to book here. The rooms here are clean but spartan. Only two rooms have A/C, so if somebody is already staying here, you tend to land up with the non A/C rooms. The in-house cook will cook your meals for you whatever is available. Don't expect to get any bread here if the only baker on the island has gone off to mainland to visit relatives.

These two places have the most gorgeous jetty in front where you can walk in the morning, afternoon, eve and see the sun set. Both these resorts face the west side of the island which is the calmer side of the sea as this is the lagoon side. The east coast has the wild ferocious sea.

The past time here is going to be hammock relaxing, lying on the sand, staring at the view, fishing, photographing, tanning yourself or the more difficult task of trying to hunt for the place you forgot your slippers - definitely not eating. One thing - there's only goat milk available here. That solves the mystery of the flight attendant getting milk in his luggage.