By TripFactory Holidays
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the INR 1,550 crore expansion of Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri, West Bengal.
PM Modi also virtually unveiled 23 development projects worth INR 6,700 crore during an event in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The new terminal building at Bagdogra Airport will cover 70,390 square meters, accommodate 3,000 peak-hour passengers, and handle up to 10 million passengers annually.
The expansion includes two link taxiways, a multi-level parking structure, and an apron with ten parking bays suitable for A-321 aircraft.
The new terminal will aim for minimal ecological impact, utilizing natural lighting and renewable energy sources.
The Union Cabinet approved the project in August, affirming its importance.
Bagdogra Airport has been recognized as a point-of-call (PoC) airport, allowing it to handle international flights without prior approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The airport is a major aviation hub in northern West Bengal, handling over 8,000 passengers and 60 flights daily.
The state government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, contributed about 100 acres of land for the expansion project.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb expressed disappointment over slogans during ceremony, while Darjeeling MP Raju Bista emphasized project's potential to boost business, industry, and tourism.