Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new integrated terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, marking a major leap for civil aviation in the Northeast. The state-of-the-art Terminal 2 has been designed to handle 13.1 million passengers annually which is expected to significantly enhance capacity and passenger experience.
The Prime Minister toured the sprawling new terminal, which has been built at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore. Officials said the overall project outlay stands at Rs 5,000 crore, with Rs 1,000 crore allocated specifically for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities. The MRO infrastructure is expected to strengthen the region’s aviation ecosystem and generate skilled employment.
Gateway to northeast India and southeast Asia
Authorities said the upgraded airport is being developed as a key aviation hub for Northeast India and a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia. With improved connectivity and modern infrastructure, the facility is expected to boost tourism, trade and regional economic growth.
Design rooted in Assam's culture
Spread across 1,40,000 square metres, the new terminal reflects Assam's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage in its architectural design. The airport, named after Assam’s first chief minister Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi, also saw the unveiling of his 80-foot statue by the Prime Minister outside the premises.
PM unveils statue of Assam's first CM Gopinath Bardaloi
In addition, the Prime Minister also unveiled an 80-foot statue of Assam's first Chief Minister Gopinath Bardoloi outside the new terminal of the airport named after him. The statue has been sculpted by eminent artist Ram Sutar, who died on Wednesday at the age of 101. Sutar had also sculpted the 125-foot statue of legendary Ahom general Lachit Barphukan, who had defeated the Mughals, at Jorhat, which was unveiled by PM Modi in March, 2024. Congress leader Gopinath Bardoloi was awarded the Bharat Ratna by the BJP government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Addressing a gathering following the inauguration, PM Modi spoke about his deep emotional bond with Assam, saying the warmth of the land and the affection of its people continue to inspire him and strengthen his commitment to the development of the Northeast. He said the love and blessings of the mothers and sisters of Assam and the wider Northeast give him constant motivation to work harder for the region’s progress. He remarked that a fresh chapter was once again being added to Assam's development journey. "Just as the Brahmaputra River flows continuously in Assam, similarly, the stream of development is flowing uninterruptedly here under the BJP's double-engine government," he added.
PM Modi targets Congress
Prime Minister Modi also launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the development of Assam and the Northeast never figured on the party's agenda when it was in power. He said leaders of Congress-led governments often questioned the need to invest in the region, claiming that "who even goes to Assam and the Northeast." He said such thinking led to decades of neglect, with the region being denied modern airports, improved railway networks and quality highways. "Our government has been systematically correcting those past mistakes. The Centre's 'Act East Policy', under which the Northeast was placed at the core of India's development and connectivity plans. According to him, Assam is now emerging as India's "eastern gateway", playing a crucial role in connecting the country with ASEAN nations.
The Prime Minister said Assam is acting as a bridge between India and Southeast Asia, and added that this transformation is only the beginning of a much larger journey. He stressed that infrastructure development sends a strong message about India's growth trajectory, as it boosts industries, builds investor confidence through better connectivity, and opens global markets for local products. The PM also underlined that the biggest beneficiaries of this push are the youth, for whom new opportunities are being created. "That is why we are seeing Assam move forward on a flight of limitless possibilities," he added.
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