Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's first nature-themed terminal at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport in Guwahati.
Credit: PIB Photo
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the country's first nature-themed terminal at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport in Guwahati that seeks to give travellers a feel of Assam's culture and heritage.
Named as "Bamboo orchids," the new terminal architecture draws inspiration from Assam’s iconic kopou phool (foxtail orchid) and indigenous bamboo varieties such as Bholuka bamboo from Assam and Apatani bamboo from Arunachal Pradesh. "Blending natural materials, abundant daylight and contemporary design, the architecture reflects the Northeast’s ecological and cultural richness. Around 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo from the region have been used across the terminal, positioning it among India’s most prominent examples of nature-inspired airport architecture where traditional craftsmanship is reimagined through modern engineering," Guwahati International Airport Limited said in a statement on Saturday evening.
At least 57 columns have been designed as kopou phool (kopou flower) and one lakh plants to be planted inside the airport to provide a forest-like ambience.
LGBI airport is one of the eight airports in the country being operated by the Adani Group's Adani Airports Holdings Limited.
Constructed with investment of Rs. 5,000 crores, the new terminal can acommodate 1.3 crores passengers annually. The present airport caters to 66 lakh passengers annually.
Inaugurating the terminal, PM Modi said the new terminal will boost transportation and push trade and tourism in Assam.
Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, said: “The Guwahati terminal demonstrates how world-class airport infrastructure can be delivered swiftly while remaining deeply rooted in local identity. It will strengthen connectivity, support economic growth across the Northeast, and offer passengers a seamless, modern travel experience.”
The new terminal is likely to be ready for operations by February end.
The present airport terminal will be gradually turned into cargo terminal, officials of Adani Group said.