Rs 20 billion terminal of Guwahati airport to open in 2025

According to a senior source, the Adani Group-owned Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati would relocate to its new terminal by April 2025. According to him, a change in design caused the terminal building, which is being erected at a total cost of about Rs 20 billion, to be completed four months later than expected. Chief Airport Officer (CAO) Utpal Baruah informed PTI that their new terminal would be ready by April 2025. He attributed the slight delay to a redesign aimed at incorporating additional facilities into the building. Baruah expressed their goal of making it the most effective terminal in the country. In August 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the leasing of Guwahati airport for operation, management, and development to Adani Enterprises for 50 years. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) had been developing the new terminal before the management was transferred to the Gujarat-based entity in October 2021. Baruah mentioned that they had recently finalised the master plan for the terminal and shared it with all concerned parties. He stated that in the initial phase, they would construct a brand new integrated terminal building, which would be nearly six times larger than the current one and comparable to global standards. He added that the capacity of the new terminal would be 13.1 million passengers per year (mppa), contrasting with the existing facility's capacity of 3.4 mppa. Regarding the investment in the structure's development, Baruah noted that more than Rs 20 billion was being invested overall. Out of this amount, approximately Rs 16 billion was allocated for the terminal building, while the rest would fund the construction of a new taxiway and expansion of the runway. Baruah further stated that upon completion of the parallel taxiway, the runway capacity of LGBI Airport would increase from 18 to 34 air traffic movements. He also mentioned plans for an approach lighting system that would reduce the visibility requirement for pilots from 1,300 metres to 550 meters. Additionally, he outlined future phases involving the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility, an aerocity, a helipad, and various other allied services. Baruah explained that the airport's management had set four visions, including establishing connections with all 16 airports in the Northeast and major cities across the country. They aimed to develop LGBI Airport into an international hub for Southeast Asia and create a regional cargo market while introducing air transportation for perishable goods. Highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the tourism industry and air transportation, Baruah emphasised LGBI Airport's role in promoting tourism sector development in the Northeast.

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