The new Hyderabad Airport at Shamshabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport) is all set to open on March 16. Apollo is setting up a Medical Center at the airport to cater to the medical needs there. Recently there was a disaster drill (which unfortunately had to be aborted) and a visit by Apollo’s senior doctors and management. I’ve got some nice pics of both the visits on my flickr page. Check them out here:
Airport Disaster Drill
Visit to the New Hyderabad International Airport
The new airport is one huge thing and unlike anything you would have ever seen in India. The current structure is supposed to be designed to handle 12 million passengers a year (current Hyderabad traffic is around 7 million passengers). When the whole airport is completely built it would be able to handle 40 million passengers a year, but that’s still quite a few years away. They’ve built loads of check in counters and huge baggage claim areas, so I guess long queues should be a thing of the past.
The only problem is the distance of the airport from the city. Currently it’ll take about 1 to 1.5 hours from Banjara Hills to reach the airport. The expressway is going to take ages to be ready. So if you’re planning day-trips to Hyderabad, think twice!!
Update: Right after the inauguration they announced that the new Airport’s launch will be delayed. It seems that the airlines are not ready to tie up with the new ground handling agencies since they are charging a bomb! Well whatever the reason, atleast I’m happy that Begumpet airport is open for a little while longer 🙂
Some photos:
Apollo’s Airport Medical Team:
The airport:
The departure area:
April 24, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Hi Rahul
Strange as this ‘comment’ maybe:
I am coming to Hyderabad for (nearly) the first time. Could you help me figure how difficult and expensive is a ride to the new aiport? My hosts will pick me up when I get to Hyderabad, but I will be by myself when I leave.
I am looking for cheap options: any buses/ autos would be as good for me.
Wondering if you/ friends could help…
Best
April 24, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Archi: Your options are a bus service or a taxi. GMR has tied up with a bus operator and provides shuttles to and from 4 locations in the city. The cost for the bus is Rs. 95 per trip. Taxis are easily available at the airport or anywhere else in the city but will cost a bomb. At Rs. 15/km you’ll be spending about Rs. 400-600 per trip. The bus would be your cheapest option, but I don’t know how convenient it will be. You can find more info on this page – http://www.newhyderabadairport.com/services/connectivity_airport.html
June 11, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Dear Rahul,
Need ur insights, coming Hyd for 1st time, need to go to Sagar society, Banjara Hills, whats the best way and how to reach… how much time it wil take, to reach B.Hills from airport if i leave by 12.30 noon and if i have to catch my flight back at 6.40pm, what time i should leave from B.Hills.
Pls let me know
Rgds
Dashie
June 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Daya: I would budget for about 1 hr. 30 mins one way. The fastest way to travel to and from the airport would be a taxi (but that’ll cost you about Rs. 500). The bus is also supposed to be good and not expensive, but I don’t know the closest stop to sagar society. You should be able to figure that out at the airport.
June 20, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Dear rahul,
plz let me know teh best option to reach MGBS bus stand from airport,as i am long from a long flight touching early morning 4.15.
regards,
ADI