Delhi International Airport installs IoT devices to track vehicles, boost safety

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has started the installation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in its vehicles to enhance safety, track locations of vehicles and schedule their maintenance as well as save fuel and reduce carbon emissions. 

The GMR Group-led DIAL, which operates and manages the Indira Gandhi International Airport, will install IoT devices in a phased manner on all its vehicles by the end of this month, a statement noted.   

Around 1,000 diesel and petrol-operated vehicles, including two-wheelers, light motor vehicles, heavy motor vehicles and tractors, are being used in the vicinity of the Delhi airport, it said.   

“Since the installation of the IoT devices in these vehicles, DIAL has witnessed enhanced safety standards on the airside and landside. The devices send alerts to authorities concerned whenever there is any violation of safety rules, like driving above the permitted speed limits, driving in or out of designated areas on the airside, etc,” said DIAL.   

These devices also help in saving 23% fuel in the utility vehicles used by airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF), airside operations, security and project and engineering (P&E) teams, it noted.   

The move will also help the airport operator check fuel and cut down around 8,82,200 kilograms of carbon emissions per year. In five years, these IoT device-fitted vehicles are likely to help DIAL in reducing nearly 44,10,922 kilograms of carbon emissions, it added.   

As part of its environmental sustainability efforts, the Delhi airport has been using only hydro and solar power for its energy needs since June 1, 2022.   

In December 2020, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad introduced IoT-enabled smart baggage trolleys, becoming India’s first airport to deploy IoT for tracking and maintaining the availability of baggage trolleys for passengers in the real time across the airport.  

Last year, in August, Kempegowda International Airport, also known as the Bengaluru International Airport implemented smart features in various departments. One of the cargo terminals of the KIAB (Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore) is now equipped with smart cold chain management cargo technology.