Guwahati : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new integrated terminal building at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, marking a major boost to Assam’s aviation infrastructure and regional connectivity.

Built at a cost of around ?4,000 crore, the newly opened Terminal 2 is the largest nature-themed airport terminal in Northeast India. Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the state-of-the-art facility has been 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 is approximately ?5,000 crore, which includes ?1,000 crore allocated for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. With the addition of the new terminal, the Guwahati airport is expected to emerge as a key aviation hub for Assam, the Northeast, and neighbouring Southeast Asian regions.

The terminal is seven times larger than the existing facility and can handle up to 34 air traffic movements per hour-the highest capacity in the region. Advanced airfield infrastructure, including a modern Instrument Landing System (ILS), upgraded runways, aprons and taxiways, has also been commissioned.

Nature-inspired design

A key highlight of the new terminal is its architecture, inspired by Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. Designed around the theme “Bamboo Orchids,” it is India’s first nature-themed airport terminal.

The design draws from indigenous orchids locally known as Kopou Phool, the flow of the Brahmaputra river and the landscapes of Northeast India. The terminal houses more than 2,000 plant species, 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 interiors feature japi motifs, rhino symbols and 57 orchid-inspired columns. A “Sky Forest” with nearly one lakh indigenous plants offers passengers an immersive, forest-like arrival experience.

Digital integration and passenger facilities

The terminal emphasises digital integration and passenger convenience, with 14 entry points, including four DigiYatra gates. Facilities include full-body scanners, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations to ensure smoother passenger flow.

Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport is named after Assam’s first Chief Minister. During the event, the Prime Minister also unveiled an 80-foot statue of Gopinath Bardoloi outside the airport premises.

Earlier, PM Modi described the new terminal as a “major boost to Assam’s infrastructure,” stating that enhanced capacity would improve ease of living while promoting trade, tourism and regional connectivity.

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