Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport, managed by the Adani Group, is set to open its new terminal by April 2025, delayed from its original December 2024 target due to necessary design modifications aimed at incorporating additional facilities. Chief Airport Officer Utpal Baruah confirmed that the delay was due to a change in the terminal’s design to include more facilities, stating the goal to make the new terminal one of the most efficient in India.
The Union Cabinet had approved the 50-year lease of Guwahati airport to Adani Enterprises in August 2020, marking a transition from Airport Authority of India (AAI) management to the Adani Group in October 2021. According to Baruah, the new terminal, outlined in a recently finalized master plan, would be nearly six times larger than the current one and designed to meet global standards.
It is anticipated that the new terminal will be able to handle 13.1 million passengers annually, up from the current 3.4 million, with the terminal project representing a significant investment exceeding Rs 2,000 crore. Baruah mentioned that approximately Rs 1,600 crore has been allocated to the terminal building, with the remainder earmarked for infrastructure such as new taxiways and expanded runways.
The enhancements include the construction of a parallel taxiway aimed at increasing runway capacity from 18 to 34 air traffic movements and the implementation of an advanced approach lighting system to reduce pilot visibility requirements. Future phases envision the development of maintenance facilities, an aerocity, a helipad, and services supporting expanded cargo operations.
Baruah highlighted the airport’s strategic goals, including connecting all 16 Northeastern airports and major Indian cities, positioning LGBI as a regional hub for Southeast Asia, and boosting the local tourism industry through enhanced air connectivity and infrastructure development.
