Date: 201507
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: VIDP.Airport, FO
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground VIDP
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying; Check Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Trainee; Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Contributing factors: Airport; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: While taxiing on taxiway P for takeoff on runway 28 we were directed by ground to taxi via P hold short of runway 28. We stopped abeam taxiway W and read back the clearance to ensure it was correct as it was extremely difficult to understand the controller with his Indian accent. We proceeded down P and taxied past the hold short line and stopped as we saw that there wasn't another hold short line just short of the runway. Just at that time they came up and said hold our position as they also noticed we had just crossed the line. Looking at the chart it almost seems it's placed where normally a Cat 1 or Cat 2 hold short line would be and normally you have another one just shy of the runway. Not at this airport. After a while we were given instructions by the controller to lineup and wait runway 28 which we did. After entering the runway the controller said we were supposed to hold our position. This was another communication problem as we were trying to follow our clearance. We asked what he wanted us to do and he came back and said cleared for takeoff runway 28. There was no doubt in our mind that we were given lineup and wait runway 28. We apologized and started or takeoff roll.Understanding the controller and also expecting a hold short line at the end of P by the runway. Tough call as some of the Indian controllers are extremely difficult to understand.


Second narrative: This was only my 3rd flight in the aircraft while in B-777 First Officer training. While taxiing on Taxiway P for takeoff on RWY 28 at VIDP; we were directed by Tower to continue to Taxiway P and hold short of the runway. Due to language difficulties with ATC; we stopped the aircraft short on P adjacent to Taxiway W and repeated the clearance back to the controller just to make sure of the correct clearance. We then proceeded to Taxiway B; turned left; and held our position. We believed this was the clearance we were given. The Tower controller then told us to hold position; and that we had passed the RWY 28 Hold Short line. This we did.We then received clearance to 'lineup and wait' on RWY 28. As we entered the runway; the controller then told us we were supposed to hold position. This was yet another communication problem; as we attempted to follow the clearance as spoken. I asked the controller what he would like us to do then; and he cleared us for takeoff at that point. Whether the controller was upset over the turn on the taxiway or us entering the runway is unclear.My Check Airman is a fine instructor and had his hands full teaching a new pilot who was still learning the airplane. English difficulties and communication were a factor here.


Synopsis: Heavy Cargo aircraft flight crew report being cleared to Runway 28 at VIDP via Taxiway P and hold short. The hold bars (HS16) are crossed inadvertently as they are well back from the runway. The controllers were described as very difficult to understand.