New Aviation Hub for Northeast Inaugurated

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the new terminal at Guwahati's Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport on Saturday, hailing the event as a significant development milestone for Assam and the broader Northeast region.

Architectural Tribute to Local Heritage

The terminal, constructed at a cost of Rs 4000 crore and named 'The Bamboo Orchids,' is designed to celebrate Assam's natural environment. Its architecture takes cues from the state's famous foxtail orchid, known locally as kopou phool, and incorporates traditional bamboo elements. Promoted as India's first airport with a nature-based theme, the facility covers 1.4 lakh square metres and has an annual passenger capacity of 13.1 million.

A Symbol of Continuous Development

During the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi stated that progress is flowing steadily under the current administration, drawing a parallel to the relentless current of the Brahmaputra River. He emphasized the terminal's role as a future aviation center for Northeast India and a crucial connection point to Southeast Asian markets.

The terminal is scheduled to begin operations by the end of February 2026. The project was executed by Guwahati International Airport Ltd, with Adani Airport Holdings Limited managing operations. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the airport accommodated 6.50 million passengers, making it the nation's tenth busiest and a primary air link for all eight Northeastern states.