In a country racing to modernise its aviation infrastructure, Guwahati’s new terminal is making a softer, more rooted statement that progress does not have to erase place. The first thing travellers will notice when they step into the newly developed airport terminal at Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport is not glass or steel but a quiet sense of walking into a forest.
Bamboo curves overhead, orchids bloom in architectural form and green spaces spill gently into the flow of passengers. PM Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new terminal, which has been described by officials as India’s first “nature-themed airport”.
Cost of nature-inspired project
According to officials, the airport terminal has an annual handling capacity of 13.1 million passengers and it is built at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore. The project includes Rs 1,000 crore allocated for maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, news agency PTI reported.
Spread across 1.4 lakh square metres, the terminal blends advanced aviation technology with deep cultural symbolism. The terminal is designed by Indian architects and it draws inspiration from Assam’s biodiversity and indigenous traditions. The concept, named “The Bamboo Orchids”, takes its cues from the ‘kopou phool’ or foxtail orchid, an emblem of Assamese identity and bamboo varieties native to the region, including Bholuka bamboo from Assam and Apatani bamboo from Arunachal Pradesh.
Officials said around 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo have been used in the interiors, making it one of the most extensive uses of the material in an Indian airport terminal. The use of bamboo is intended to reduce environmental impact while aligning the terminal’s design with regional identity.
‘Sky forest’ for passengers
Nature will shape the passenger experience throughout the airport building. Landscaped zones inspired by Kaziranga National Park echo Assam’s forests, while traditional Assamese headgear, the japi, appears in design elements across the terminal. Rhino motifs are spread across the terminal as a symbolic reference to the state’s wildlife heritage.
One of the most striking features is the “sky forest” that greets arriving passengers. Here, nearly one lakh plants from about 100 species of local flora are kept to create an immersive green corridor. A key architectural feature includes 57 columns designed to resemble foxtail orchid bouquets, located across departure and arrival halls.
When will operations begin at the terminal?
The transition from the old terminal to the new facility will begin in February, with domestic flights moving first. By the end of March, both domestic and international operations are expected to shift entirely to the new terminal. The existing terminal will then be repurposed as a cargo hub, PTI reported.
Operational readiness has been ensured through a comprehensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer programme. Airport officials said the process was supported by an expert visiting team from Munich, Germany.
Tech infra at the terminal
Technology has been woven seamlessly into the terminal’s design. The terminal is equipped with DigiYatra-enabled passenger processing, smart check-in systems and large naturally lit spaces. Officials said the infrastructure has been designed to handle 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032.
During the 2024-25 financial year, the airport recorded passenger traffic of 6.5 million.
Several new passenger processing features have also been introduced. For the first time in India, check-in facilities will be available at the parking area and arrival forecourt, allowing passengers to drop baggage before entering the terminal building.
Upgraded security processes
The terminal will feature consolidated domestic security lanes supported by an Automated Tray Retrieval System. Swing gate provisions at contact stands will allow flexible handling of domestic and international flights, while improved transfer facilities are expected to enhance hub operations.
Security infrastructure will include full-body scanners designed to enable faster and non-intrusive screening. Fast Track Immigration facilities will be available for Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India cardholders to reduce processing time.
Passengers will also have access to self-service smart information kiosks providing flight information, interactive maps, Wi-Fi access, SOS assistance, retail ordering and feedback options. Officials said these systems are intended to reduce dependence on manual processes and improve service efficiency.
The project has been developed by Guwahati International Airport Ltd, with airport operations managed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. Officials said the new terminal reflects India’s broader push towards modern, sustainable and capacity-driven aviation infrastructure.
