The new terminal of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport will become operational in the first half on 2021, Airports Authority of India chairman Arvind Singh said here on Wednesday.
Singh, who is here on his maiden visit to the Northeast, reviewed the projects and operations of all airports in the region at the Airports Authority of India regional headquarters, NER, here. He interacted with the directors of major airports in the region and other senior officials.
He met Assam chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna and discussed aviation-related infrastructure and upcoming projects. Assam has the most number of operational airports in the region, namely Guwahati, Silchar, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Lilabari. The two agreed on the development of more airports to meet the expectations of locals and tourists. Issues related to land, greenfield airport projects, connectivity to remote locations, enhancing cargo facilities for the benefit of farmers and agri-business in the state were also discussed.
The new LGBI Airport terminal, being constructed by the AAI, will have a world-class integrated passenger terminal building, equipped with all major facilities. “The progress of the construction is fast,” Singh, who visited the construction site, said.
The passenger movement at LGBI Airport had crossed 6 million in 2019. Singh said after the LGBI new terminal building becomes operational, the passengers capacity will increase to 15 million a year.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said the LGBI Airport was the gateway to the Northeast and a major hub for export of local products and tourism.
Asked about the under-construction Rupshi airport in Dhubri, he said the AAI was waiting for licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, after which it would become operational within three to four months.
Singh met directors of all airports in the Northeast — Guwahati, Agartala, Imphal, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Jorhat, Shillong and Dimapur. They appraised him of the present status and future prospects of the airports.
The review meet emphasised on enhancing passenger facilities and planning for future expansion of the terminal buildings. Singh also focused on city side and air side development of airports as they act as the first point of attraction embarking and disembarking for passengers.
