Guwahati Unveils India’s First Nature-Inspired Airport Terminal, Marking a Milestone for the Northeast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first nature-themed airport terminal in Guwahati, built at a cost of ₹4,000 crore. The new Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport terminal can handle over 13 million passengers annually, making it the largest in Northeast India and a key hub boosting connectivity, tourism, trade, and regional development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday formally opened the newly constructed terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam, signalling a major expansion of aviation infrastructure in the northeastern region. Developed at an estimated cost of ₹4,000 crore, the facility stands out as India’s first airport terminal designed around a nature-based theme.

Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister toured the terminal complex and also unveiled an 80-foot statue of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi, Assam’s first chief minister, after whom the airport is named. The event highlighted both the region’s cultural legacy and its growing connectivity.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi underscored the role of modern airports and advanced infrastructure in driving regional progress. He said such developments create fresh economic opportunities and described the new terminal as the beginning of a new phase in Assam’s growth story. The Prime Minister also took aim at previous Congress-led governments, remarking that the Northeast had long remained outside their development priorities.

The expanded terminal is designed to accommodate more than 13 million passengers each year, positioning it as the largest airport terminal in Northeast India. Officials noted that the overall project outlay is closer to ₹5,000 crore, factoring in an additional ₹1,000 crore earmarked for maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations.

According to government officials, the upgraded airport is expected to function as a key aviation hub for the region while also serving as an important link to Southeast Asia. The terminal has been developed by Adani Airports Holdings Limited, with architectural elements that incorporate bamboo structures and orchid-inspired motifs, reflecting Assam’s natural and cultural identity.

Authorities added that the project was executed through close coordination between the central and state governments. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier sanctioned ₹116.2 crore for widening and improving approach roads leading to the terminal and personally reviewed progress on the infrastructure works.

A day before the inauguration, PM Modi shared a glimpse of the new terminal on social media platform X, describing it as a significant enhancement to Assam’s infrastructure. He noted that the increased passenger capacity would not only ease travel but also contribute to higher living standards while boosting trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.