Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the ₹4,000-crore new terminal building of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) will become operational from Feb 22.“From an open space to a world-class gateway in just a few years. This transformation reflects a clear vision for a more connected and confident Assam. Inaugurated by Adarniya Shri @narendramodi ji, the @GuwahatiAirport opens its doors to the world from Feb 22.,” Sarma posted on X.The facility, inaugurated by Modi on Dec 20, is designed to handle 1.3 crore passengers annually. It is spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, supported by major upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways.Today, LGBIA handles over 0.6 crore passengers annually, and the new terminal is expected to more than double capacity, easing congestion and boosting tourism and trade.This airport is India’s first nature-themed airport terminal with the design drawing inspiration from Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”.The terminal makes pioneering use of about 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced northeast bamboo, complemented by Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns reflecting the Kopou flower.A unique “Sky Forest”, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, offers arriving passengers an immersive, forest-like experience.Sources said the old terminal will be converted into a cargo hub.The airport has been the northeast’s aviation lifeline for decades, evolving through distinct phases of growth and transformation. Established in 1958 as Borjhar Airport, it began modestly, serving as the primary gateway for Assam and its neighboring states. Over time, as the region’s connectivity needs expanded, the facility was upgraded to international status in 2000 and renamed in honour of Assam’s first chief minister and freedom fighter, Gopinath Bordoloi, whose 80-foot statue was also unveiled by Modi outside the terminal.A new chapter opened in 2021 when operations and development were handed over to Adani Enterprises Ltd under a 50-year public-private partnership lease. This transition marked the beginning of a modernization drive, aligning the airport with global standards while retaining its regional identity.
