Marking a major leap in Assam’s aviation and infrastructure landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new integrated terminal building at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Guwahati, reinforcing the Northeast’s growing role in India’s economic and tourism map.
The new terminal significantly enhances the airport’s capacity, enabling it to handle over 1.25–1.3 crore passengers annually, a sharp jump that positions Guwahati as a key aviation hub for the Northeast and a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia under India’s Act East vision.
A Gateway for Growth
Speaking at the inauguration, the Prime Minister underscored the role of modern airports as catalysts for regional growth, noting that improved air connectivity strengthens tourism, boosts investor confidence, and creates new opportunities for local industries and youth. The expanded capacity is expected to facilitate higher tourist inflows, including pilgrims visiting the Kamakhya Temple, while improving domestic and international connectivity for the region.
India’s First Nature-Themed Airport Terminal
Spread across nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the new terminal is India’s first nature-themed airport, designed around Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage under the concept “Bamboo Orchids.”
The architecture features:
- Extensive use of locally sourced Northeast bamboo (around 140 metric tonnes)
- Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, japi motifs and rhino symbolism
- 57 orchid-inspired columns reflecting the state flower, Kopou Phool
- A unique “Sky Forest” with nearly one lakh indigenous plants, offering passengers a forest-like arrival experience
The terminal blends sustainability with cultural identity, showcasing how infrastructure can reflect regional ethos while meeting global standards.
Technology-Driven Passenger Experience
Designed for efficiency and seamless travel, the terminal incorporates:
- DigiYatra-enabled contactless processes
- Full-body scanners for faster security checks
- Automated baggage handling systems
- Fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations
These features aim to reduce processing time, improve passenger comfort, and align Guwahati airport with next-generation aviation hubs.
Strengthening Multimodal Connectivity
The inauguration also comes amid broader infrastructure development across Assam and the Northeast — spanning highways, railways, bridges and inland waterways. Increased cargo movement on the Brahmaputra and the growing prominence of river cruise tourism, including international attention on routes like the Varanasi–Dibrugarh cruise, are reinforcing Guwahati’s role as a multimodal transport hub.
Positioning Assam as India’s Eastern Gateway
With enhanced air capacity, modern facilities and improved regional connectivity, Guwahati airport is set to play a pivotal role in:
- Expanding tourism circuits across the Northeast
- Supporting trade and cargo movement
- Strengthening India’s connectivity with ASEAN markets
The new terminal stands as a symbol of Assam’s transition from a peripheral destination to a central player in India’s connectivity, tourism and growth story.
