The New Face Of Guwahati Airport

Efforts are ongoing to enhance the experience of passengers passing through Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.

- Manjum Mahanta

The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati, formerly known as Borjhar Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the region. Over the years, it has witnessed tremendous increase in traffic, which took a toll on the limited staff and services being offered. Even after achieving ‘international’ status, the facilities remained more or less the same. For the longest time, passengers had to join slow-moving, lengthy queues to get their baggage checked or get through security checks. But over the last couple of months, the lines have reduced and more facilities have popped up, much to the delight of regular travellers. This is all because of the remodelling being done, as part of the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016.

It is important to note that the airport witnessed a total footfall of 5.7 million passenger and 55,066 aircraft movements in 2018-2019.

With the focus on the ASEAN nations and South Asian link to the region, international connectivity is unavoidable, which would irrefutably add to that number. Presently, the total capacity of the airport is being handled by the single operational terminal for passengers and cargo transport.

After the recent privatisation, a new Integrated Terminal Building at a cost of 1,232 crore is being constructed. Indra Mohan, PRO of LGBI Airport, informed, ‘The terminal building shall spread over 90,000 square meters and will be equipped with world-class passenger facilities and have the capacity to handle 3100 passengers during peak hours.’ Not only that, the decor will reflect the place and its people. ‘The interiors of the building will depict local handicrafts, murals and popular tourist destinations of Assam.’