PM Modi to inaugurate the new terminal of Guwahati Airport on December 20, designed as India’s first nature-themed airport terminal

The LGBI Airport will be inaugurated by PM Modi.
Images of the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport ( Image Source: X/@himantabiswa)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the photos and video of the New Terminal Building at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi (LGB) International Airport on X. The new terminal building of the airport is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on 20th December in Guwahati. “Excitement at its peak! LGBI Airport’s Integrated Terminal is all decked up to welcome Adarniya @narendramodi ji tomorrow!” wrote the Assam CM on X on Friday (19th December).

The new terminal at the LGBI Airport is India’s first nature-themed airport terminal, which marks a transformative milestone in the state’s connectivity, economic growth and global engagement. The new terminal is spread across 1.4 lakh square metres. Equipped with major upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways, it is capable of handling up to 1.3 crore passengers annually.

The design and infrastructure of the airport terminal are inspired by Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”. About 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo have been used in the design of the terminal. It is complemented by Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns reflecting the Kopou flower. The terminal has a unique “Sky Forest”, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, which offers arriving passengers an immersive, forest-like experience.

The terminal raises the bar in passenger convenience and digital innovation. To ensure passenger safety, advanced safety features such as full-body scanners for fast, non-intrusive security screening have been set up at the terminal. To facilitate seamless, secure and efficient journeys for passengers as well as fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations, features like DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling have been installed.

The new terminal is expected to be operational in the first quarter of next year, and the old terminal will be gradually phased out. However, for now international flights will continue to operate from Terminal 1 due to customs and other requirements. After everything is shifted to the new terminal, the old one will be phased out.

While the second terminal will be inaugurated tomorrow, the Assam government is also contemplating another terminal at the airport, anticipating a passenger surge. “The planning for a second new terminal is already in progress. For now, all operations will be shifted to the new terminal once it is inaugurated,” Sarma reportedly said.

Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi (LGB) International Airport is operated by Guwahati International Airport Limited (GIAL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of Adani Enterprises Ltd. Adani group won bids to operate and develop 6 airports in the country in 2019, including the Guwahati, which was handed over to the company in 2021.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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