The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (LGBI) International Airport in Guwahati has announced that its automated Assamese public announcement system will become operational within the next 10 days, days after former Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Kuladhar Saikia and two other retired senior bureaucrats urged the airport authorities to ensure the use of Assamese in all passenger announcements.
In an official statement, the airport clarified that Assamese announcements have not been discontinued. It said airport personnel continue to make manual announcements in Assamese, while airlines operating from Guwahati also use Assamese alongside other applicable languages for passenger communication.
The clarification follows a representation submitted by retired IPS officers Kuladhar Saikia and Jyotirmoy Chakraborty, along with retired Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer Mukul Chandra Gogoi. The trio had pointed out that announcements at Terminal 2 were being made only in Hindi and English, which they said was inconsistent with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s guidelines encouraging the use of regional languages. They maintained that incorporating Assamese is important not only for preserving the state’s linguistic identity but also for ensuring better passenger communication, particularly during emergencies.
Responding to the concerns, the airport authority said it is in the process of implementing an automated announcement system that includes Assamese. During the testing phase, officials detected inaccuracies in the wording and pronunciation of certain Assamese scripts, leading to corrective measures before the system’s rollout.
According to the airport, the necessary revisions are in the final stages, and the automated Assamese announcement facility is expected to be introduced within the next 10 days.
The airport authority also stated that all airlines have been instructed to make passenger announcements in three languages—Assamese, Hindi and English—to improve communication and enhance passenger convenience.
Reiterating its commitment to inclusivity, the airport said it remains dedicated to promoting Assam’s linguistic and cultural heritage while ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience for passengers.
