Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the new terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati — marking the completion of a rare, rapid transition from design reveal to commissioning in under a year. The Prime Minister had unveiled the terminal concept in February during Advantage Assam 2.0, and the facility is now set to begin commercial operations by the end of February after a full Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) programme.
Officials said the ORAT exercise, supported by a specialist team from Munich, has tested systems, passenger flows, safety protocols, manpower deployment and crisis-response procedures to ensure a seamless opening from day one. Designed as a modern gateway rooted in the cultural ecology of the Northeast, the terminal has been christened “The Bamboo Orchids.” Its architecture draws inspiration from the region’s iconic kopou phool (foxtail orchid) and indigenous bamboo species such as Assam’s Bholuka and Arunachal Pradesh’s Apatani. Around 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo have been used — making the terminal one of India’s largest experiments in nature-inspired airport design, with traditional craftsmanship re-engineered for modern infrastructure.
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Developed by Guwahati International Airport Limited and operated by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), the terminal highlights the group’s integrated approach to aviation infrastructure — combining design innovation, engineering execution and ORAT-based commissioning.
Placing the inauguration within a broader development narrative, Modi described the terminal as part of a “Vikas ka Utsav” unfolding across the Northeast. He said Assam is emerging as India’s eastern gateway under the Act East policy, and the bamboo-rich terminal represents sustainability, resilience and the state’s growing contribution to a Viksit Bharat as India eyes the rank of the world’s third-largest economy. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said the Guwahati terminal shows how world-class infrastructure can be delivered swiftly while staying deeply anchored in regional identity. “It will strengthen connectivity, drive economic growth in the Northeast and deliver a seamless travel experience,” he said.
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Equipped with DigiYatra, smart check-in and expanded passenger spaces, the terminal is designed to handle 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032. Guwahati Airport handled 6.50 million passengers in FY 2024–25 and currently ranks as India’s 10th busiest airport, serving as the primary hub for all eight Northeastern states. The overall airport expansion accounts for ₹5,000 crore in investment, with ₹1,000 crore earmarked for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities. Plans for integrated domestic and international cargo infrastructure are expected to boost trade, logistics and regional employment. The Guwahati milestone comes days ahead of the scheduled operational launch of the Navi Mumbai International Airport on December 25, further signalling India’s shift toward fast-tracked, design-driven aviation infrastructure.
