Noida airport or ‘seaport’? Waterlogging turns Jewar airport’s ‘Varanasi Ghats’ into a ‘riverfront’

Noida International Airport in Jewar faced an unusual scene on Tuesday after heavy rain left water pooled in the forecourt linking its terminal and parking area. The waterlogging triggered online jokes about the airport turning into a “seaport” and drew questions over its drainage system, although officials said flights and other airport operations continued without disruption.

The affected passage, designed to resemble the ghats of Varanasi, briefly became the centre of attention after videos of the waterlogged area surfaced online. Airport teams used pumps to clear the water, and officials said the passage was restored within 30 minutes.

Heavy rain leaves Noida airport passage waterlogged

The water accumulated in the underground passage connecting the terminal building with the parking area and taxi stand. The departure kerbside road runs above the passage, making it an important route for passengers moving between the terminal and parking facilities.


A travelator in the passage was switched off during the waterlogging. For some time, passenger traffic was diverted through another route, while passengers could also be picked up directly from the kerbside.

The airport said the water entered the passage following an intense spell of rain over a short period.

"Airport teams responded promptly, clearing the water under 30 minutes. There was no impact on flight operations or the overall functioning of the airport," the airport said.

‘Seaport’ jokes flood social media

Videos of the waterlogged area quickly spread online, with users poking fun at the newly operational airport.

One user sarcastically wrote, "See!! You can now experience both airport and seaport together."

Another commented, "This is Vikas Ganga," while a third wrote, "Swimming pool ka bhi jugaad ho gaya hai guys airport par."

The reaction came as the airport has been positioning itself as a modern international gateway combining Indian cultural elements with contemporary infrastructure.

The airport’s underground passage was designed to evoke the look of the ghats of Varanasi. After Tuesday’s rainfall, the design became an easy target for online humour as water collected across the area.

Airport says flights were not affected

Airport officials said the waterlogging was temporary and did not affect flight operations.

The airport said teams responded quickly and removed the accumulated water within half an hour. Passenger movement was also managed through alternative arrangements while the affected area was being cleared.

"As a result, there was minimal impact on operations, and no flights were disrupted. Our team is looking into the incident and will take corrective action where required," an official said.

Noida recorded 27 mm of rain on Tuesday.

RK Singh, CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Authority, told TOI that the waterlogging was limited to the parking area and did not reach the runway or apron.

"Yes, there was some waterlogging in the parking area, which was cleared soon after. During heavy rain, there is slight waterlogging even at IGI Airport," he pointed out.

The airport’s senior management did not comment on the exact cause of the water accumulation or specify what measures would be introduced to prevent a similar incident.

AAP questions construction quality

The incident also triggered a political attack, with the Aam Aadmi Party using the waterlogging to question the quality of construction at the airport.

"Noida International Airport, built at a cost of around Rs 11,200 crore and inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi just six months ago, appeared to expose the alleged corruption of the govt and substandard construction when it faced its first spell of rain today," the party said on X.

Airport authorities have maintained that the incident was temporary and had no effect on flights or the overall functioning of the facility.

Noida airport opened in June

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport on March 28, 2026. Commercial operations began on June 15, making Tuesday’s waterlogging incident one of the early weather-related tests for the new airport.

The airport is located in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district along the Yamuna Expressway. It has been developed as another international gateway for the Delhi-NCR region alongside Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The airport handled 61,287 passengers in its first month and currently operates 224 flights a week.

Rs 11,200 crore Phase I project

Phase I of Noida International Airport was developed at an investment of around Rs 11,200 crore under a public-private partnership model. It has an initial capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually.

The airport is eventually planned to handle up to 70 million passengers a year after subsequent expansion phases.

Its infrastructure includes a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft. The airport also has an Instrument Landing System and airfield lighting designed to support operations in different weather conditions.

For now, Tuesday’s rain did not cause flight cancellations or major operational disruption. But the brief waterlogging at the airport’s Varanasi Ghats-inspired forecourt has put the spotlight on its drainage arrangements just weeks after the start of commercial operations.

(Inputs from TOI)