Guwahati's New Bamboo Orchids Terminal T2 to Handle 13.1 Million Passengers

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati is set to inaugurate its state-of-the-art Bamboo Orchids Terminal (T2) on December 20, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding. This new terminal is designed to manage 13.1 million passengers per annum (MPPA), marking a significant transformation for Northeast India's aviation sector. It aims to directly link the region to Southeast Asia, establishing Assam’s capital, Guwahati, as a pivotal gateway for commerce, culture, and connectivity, thereby advancing India’s Act East vision.

Upon becoming operational in the first quarter of next year, the Guwahati International Airport Limited (GIAL)-operated T2 will enhance air links to key Asian gateways like Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Beyond passenger travel, the terminal will significantly boost cargo connectivity with state-of-the-art processing facilities, supporting Assam’s export ecosystem, including tea, agri-produce, handloom, and floriculture. This infrastructure is also expected to attract inbound tourism and investment from the ASEAN region, offering new opportunities for trade and economic activity for the people of Northeast India.

The T2 is envisioned as more than just an aviation hub; it serves as a strategic bridge connecting the Northeast’s entrepreneurial energy with Southeast Asia’s growth markets. Its aesthetically designed architecture draws inspiration from Assam’s natural and cultural heritage, incorporating motifs like bamboo and the 'kopou phool' (foxtail orchid), alongside Assamese cultural symbols such as the gamosa and jaapi. This design philosophy embodies 'design as diplomacy,' inviting the world to experience local heritage as a statement of India’s soft power. As Guwahati ascends as India’s eastern gateway, the Northeast is poised to become a central pivot, fostering trade, tourism, and trust with ASEAN nations.