Guwahati, June 27: The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati, under the management of the Adani Group, is set to transition to its new terminal by April 2025, a senior official confirmed today. Originally slated for completion by December 2024, the terminal’s construction faced a delay of approximately four months due to a design modification aimed at enhancing facilities.
Chief Airport Officer (CAO) Utpal Baruah assured, “Our new terminal will be ready by April 2025. The delay was due to a change in the design to include more facilities in the building. We aim to make it the most efficient terminal in the country.”
In August 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the lease of Guwahati airport to Adani Enterprises for operation, management, and development over a 50-year period. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) had initiated the construction of the new terminal, which transitioned to the Adani Group’s management in October 2021.
“We have recently finalized the master plan of the terminal and shared it with all stakeholders. In the initial phase, we will introduce a state-of-the-art integrated terminal building, nearly six times larger than the current one, comparable to global standards,” Baruah elaborated.
The new terminal is designed to accommodate 13.1 million passengers per annum (mppa), a substantial increase from the existing capacity of 3.4 mppa.
Baruah outlined the financial scope, stating, “Over Rs 2,000 crore is being invested in the entire facility. Approximately Rs 1,600 crore is allocated to the terminal building, with the remainder dedicated to constructing a new taxiway and expanding the runway.”
Upon completion of the parallel taxiway, LGBI Airport’s runway capacity will rise from 18 to 34 air traffic movements. Additionally, an advanced approach lighting system will reduce pilot visibility requirements from 1,300 meters to 550 meters.
Future plans for the airport include developing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, an aerocity, a helipad, and various ancillary services. The airport aims to establish connections with all 16 airports in Northeast India and major cities nationwide, positioning LGBI as a key international hub for Southeast Asia. Plans also include expanding the cargo market and introducing air transportation for perishable goods in the region.
Baruah stressed the airport’s pivotal role in promoting tourism in Northeast India, emphasizing the interconnectedness of air transport and tourism development. “We envision LGBI Airport as a catalyst for the growth of the tourism sector in the Northeast,” he concluded.
The transition to the new terminal is expected to significantly elevate Guwahati’s aviation infrastructure, facilitating enhanced connectivity and economic growth across the region.
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