TFP Bureau, Guwahati, December 20, 2025: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new Integrated Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, describing the occasion as a landmark moment in Assam’s journey towards enhanced connectivity, economic expansion and global engagement. The Prime Minister said modern airports and advanced connectivity infrastructure serve as gateways to new possibilities and opportunities for any state, adding that Assam and the entire Northeast are emerging as India’s new gateway to development.
Addressing a large gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Shri Modi said the day marked a “festival of development and progress” for Assam and the Northeast. “When the light of progress reaches the people, every path in life begins to touch new heights,” he said, expressing his deep emotional connect with the region and the affection he receives from its people, particularly the mothers and sisters of Assam and the Northeast.
Referring to the words of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the Prime Minister said the resolve reflected in his songs is now being realised. “Just as the mighty Brahmaputra flows endlessly, the stream of development in Assam continues uninterrupted under our governments at the Centre and the state,” he said, adding that the new terminal stands as living proof of this commitment.
Earlier in the day, Shri Modi unveiled the statue of Gopinath Bardoloi, Assam’s first Chief Minister, recalling his historic role in safeguarding the state’s identity and interests. He said Bardoloi’s life and legacy would continue to inspire future generations with pride and a sense of belonging to Assam.
Gateway to growth and confidence
Emphasising the importance of infrastructure, the Prime Minister said modern airports, highways and railways strengthen public confidence and attract investment. “When people see world-class highways and airports in Assam, they realise that true justice has finally begun for the region,” he remarked, criticising previous governments for neglecting the Northeast for decades.
Shri Modi said mistakes committed over six to seven decades are now being corrected, with development projects worth lakhs of crores launched in Assam and the Northeast over the past eleven years. He highlighted Assam’s achievements, including becoming the first state to implement the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, installing over 50 lakh smart prepaid meters, and ensuring transparent recruitment processes that provide jobs to youth without bribes or recommendations.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the promotion of Assam’s culture on national and global platforms, recalling the historic Bihu dance performance by over 11,000 artists in Guwahati in April 2023, which entered the Guinness World Records.
Capacity boost, heritage-centric design
With the inauguration of the new terminal, Guwahati airport’s annual passenger handling capacity will rise to over 1.25 crore, significantly boosting air connectivity, tourism and pilgrimage. Shri Modi said the new facility would make travel easier for tourists and devotees visiting Maa Kamakhya, while also strengthening Assam’s role as a regional aviation hub.
Describing the terminal as a symbol of “development with heritage”, the Prime Minister said its design reflects Assam’s natural beauty and cultural identity. The terminal features lush greenery, an indoor forest ambience and extensive use of bamboo, an integral part of Assamese life symbolising strength and sustainability. He recalled the 2017 amendment to the Indian Forest Act that reclassified bamboo grown outside forest areas as grass, a move that helped unlock the economic and design potential of bamboo-based structures.
Northeast at the centre of India’s rise
Shri Modi said infrastructure development sends a powerful message by boosting industries, assuring investors and opening global markets for local products. He added that the biggest beneficiaries are the youth, for whom new opportunities are being created.
Highlighting India’s rapid rise towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, the Prime Minister said modern infrastructure has played a decisive role in this transformation. He said the vision of a developed India by 2047 rests on inclusive growth, with every state and region contributing equally. “Assam and the Northeast are leading this mission,” he said, noting that under the Act East Policy, Assam is emerging as India’s Eastern Gateway and a vital bridge to ASEAN nations.
The Prime Minister detailed the transformation in connectivity across the Northeast, citing the construction of new bridges over the Brahmaputra, expansion of rail networks, introduction of Vande Bharat Express services, and a 140 per cent increase in cargo traffic on inland waterways. He said projects like the Bogibeel and Dhola–Sadiya bridges have strengthened both strategic and economic connectivity, while the Ganga Vilas cruise has placed the region firmly on the global tourism map.
Development, security and identity
Shri Modi said decades of neglect had cost the Northeast dearly in terms of security and stability, but sustained efforts over the last decade are reversing this trend. Areas once affected by violence are now transforming into aspirational districts and future industrial corridors, supported by digital connectivity through 4G and 5G networks.
He also stressed the importance of safeguarding Assam’s identity and resources, praising the state government under Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma for taking firm action against illegal encroachments and infiltration. The Prime Minister called for vigilance and unity to ensure Assam’s development remains on track.
Concluding his address, Shri Modi said the world now looks towards India with hope and that “the new sunrise of India’s future will begin from the Northeast.” He expressed confidence that collective efforts would take Assam to new heights and help realise the vision of a developed India.
Governor of Assam Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Shri K. Rammohan Naidu, Shri Murlidhar Mohol and Shri Pabitra Margherita, along with other dignitaries, were present at the event.
About the new terminal
Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the new integrated terminal is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually and is supported by major upgrades to runways, aprons, taxiways and airfield systems. India’s first nature-themed airport terminal, it draws inspiration from Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”, featuring 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo, orchid-inspired columns, Kaziranga-themed landscapes and a unique “Sky Forest” with nearly one lakh indigenous plants.
Equipped with full-body scanners, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling, fast-track immigration and AI-driven operations, the terminal sets new benchmarks in passenger comfort, security and efficiency, reinforcing Guwahati’s position as a key aviation gateway to the Northeast.
