Guwahati, Jan 21: Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage dominate Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International
Airport (LGBIA), which will be opened for use by March.
The new terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The PIB-sponsored tour helped journalists from Sikkim, Tripura and Meghalaya to visit the airport.
Adani group is executing the work with a cost of Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 1000 crore will be used for maintenance.
During the visit, the officials took the journalists for a tour of the interiors of the airport which revealed that this is perhaps India’s first nature-themed airport, designed by Indian architects and inspired by Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.
The major theme of design is bamboo orchids, ( Kopou Phool) – foxtail orchid symbolising love & celebration
Bamboo signifies sustainability, resilience and harmony
Brahmaputra & Majuli – continuity, coexistence are other themes while the terminal evokes a bamboo forest in bloom.
The terminal features bamboo-inspired interiors using approximately 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo, orchid-themed columns, traditional Assamese Jhapi motifs (the iconic conical headgear), Kaziranga-inspired landscapes and the rhinoceros as a symbol of resilience and strength.
It is designed to handle 13.1 million passengers annually across 140,000 sq meter.
This is India’s first airport to offer check-in facilities at the parking area
and arrival forecourt, eliminating the need to carry baggage into the terminal
Guwahati as a regional aviation hub and gateway to the North East.
