PM Modi Inaugurates New Guwahati Airport Terminal

• PM inaugurates nature-themed new terminal at Guwahati airport
• Says modern airports open new opportunities for states
• Highlights Northeast as India’s emerging eastern gateway
• Terminal to handle over 1.25 crore passengers annually

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 20th Dec: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, marking a major milestone in Assam’s connectivity, economic expansion and global engagement.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the day symbolised a “festival of development” for Assam and the entire Northeast. He said modern airports and advanced connectivity infrastructure act as gateways to new possibilities and opportunities for any state, strengthening public confidence and accelerating growth. “Today, Assam and the entire Northeast are emerging as the new gateway to India’s development,” he said, adding that the region will lead India’s future growth.

Recalling his emotional connection with Assam, Modi said the warmth and affection of the people, especially mothers and sisters of the Northeast, continuously inspire him to work harder for the region’s development. Quoting Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, the Prime Minister said the resolve to remove darkness and illuminate the banks of the Brahmaputra is now being fulfilled through sustained development.

The Prime Minister said the inauguration of the new terminal stands as proof that development in Assam is progressing uninterrupted. He also recalled unveiling the statue of Gopinath Bardoloi, noting that Bardoloi never compromised on Assam’s identity and interests and continues to inspire future generations.

Highlighting past neglect, Modi said earlier governments ignored Assam and the Northeast for decades, questioning the need for modern highways, railways and airports in the region. He said the mistakes of six to seven decades are now being corrected, with development projects worth lakhs of crores initiated in the last 11 years.

He noted that Assam has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first state to implement the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, installing over 50 lakh smart prepaid meters, and ensuring transparent recruitment processes for youth. The Prime Minister also highlighted cultural achievements such as the record-setting Bihu performance by over 11,000 artists, recognised by Guinness World Records.

With the new terminal, the Prime Minister said Guwahati airport’s capacity will rise to over 1.25 crore passengers annually, boosting tourism and facilitating easier access to Maa Kamakhya. He said the terminal reflects the mantra of “development with heritage,” blending Assam’s culture and nature through bamboo-based design, greenery and forest-inspired interiors.

Modi underlined that infrastructure development boosts industries, inspires investor confidence and opens global markets for local products, while creating new opportunities for youth. He said India’s journey towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy has been powered by modern infrastructure and inclusive growth across states.

Emphasising the Act East Policy, the Prime Minister said Assam is emerging as India’s eastern gateway and a bridge to ASEAN nations. He highlighted rapid progress in bridges, railways, waterways and digital connectivity, citing mega bridges over the Brahmaputra, the Vande Bharat Express, rising cargo traffic on waterways, and cruise tourism linking Varanasi to Dibrugarh.

The Prime Minister also credited improved security and governance for the Northeast’s transformation, saying regions once affected by violence are now emerging as aspirational districts and future industrial corridors. He stressed the importance of safeguarding Assam’s identity and culture, recalling Bardoloi’s historic role in protecting the state’s integrity.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, K. Rammohan Naidu, Murlidhar Mohol and Pabitra Margherita were among the dignitaries present.

Background:
The integrated new terminal, spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, is India’s first nature-themed airport terminal, inspired by Assam’s biodiversity under the “Bamboo Orchids” concept. Designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually, it features extensive use of locally sourced bamboo, orchid-themed columns, a “Sky Forest” with indigenous plants, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, AI-driven operations, and advanced security and baggage systems.