Assam: PM Modi inaugurates new terminal at Guwahati Airport
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new integrated terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, marking a major milestone in Assam’s aviation infrastructure and regional connectivity.
PM Modi said that the new terminal building will help boost connectivity, commerce and tourism across Assam and other northeastern states.
“The new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport will boost connectivity, commerce and tourism across Assam and the entire Northeast,” the PM said.
Built at a cost of around Rs 4,000 crore, the newly inaugurated Terminal 2 is the largest nature-themed airport terminal in Northeast India. Spread across nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the state-of-the-art facility is designed to handle up to 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032. The Prime Minister toured the terminal after the inauguration.
Officials said the overall project cost stands at approximately Rs 5,000 crore, which includes Rs 1,000 crore earmarked for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. With the new terminal, the Guwahati airport is expected to emerge as a key aviation hub not only for Assam but for the entire Northeast and neighbouring Southeast Asian regions.
The terminal is seven times larger than the existing facility and is capable of handling up to 34 air traffic movements per hour — the highest in the region. Advanced airfield systems, including a modern Instrument Landing System (ILS), upgraded runways, aprons and taxiways, have also been incorporated.
Nature-Inspired Design
One of the most striking aspects of the new terminal is its architecture, which draws inspiration from Assam’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Designed under the theme “Bamboo Orchids,” it is India’s first nature-themed airport terminal.
The design reflects indigenous orchids known locally as Kopou Phool, the flow of the Brahmaputra river, and the landscapes of Northeast India. The terminal features more than 2,000 species of plants, a dedicated zone inspired by Kaziranga National Park, and cultural artefacts representing Majuli Island.
A signature bamboo vault — constructed using about 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo — gives the terminal a distinctive identity. The space has been envisioned as a multifunctional cultural centre to promote community engagement and cultural exchange. The interiors also feature japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol, and 57 orchid-inspired columns.
A unique “Sky Forest” comprising nearly one lakh indigenous plants offers arriving passengers an immersive, forest-like experience.
Digital Integration and Passenger Convenience
The new terminal places strong emphasis on digital integration and seamless passenger movement. It has 14 entry points, including four DigiYatra gates, along with full-body scanners for faster security checks, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations.
Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport is named after Assam’s first Chief Minister. During the event, PM Modi also unveiled an 80-foot statue of Gopinath Bardoloi outside the airport premises.
Earlier, the Prime Minister described the terminal as a “major boost to Assam’s infrastructure,” stating that increased capacity would enhance ease of living while supporting commerce and tourism.
Other Engagements in Assam
The airport inauguration was part of PM Modi’s two-day visit to Assam. During the visit, he will lay foundation stones for several development projects and address public meetings. He is also scheduled to visit Swahid Smarak Kshetra to pay homage to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will perform the bhoomipujan for a new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, to be developed within the premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited.