India's First: Varanasi Airport Starts INR 250 Cr Runway Tunnel Construction

January 10, 2026 at 06:31 AM•2 min read

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Varanasi) has begun work on India's first INR 250 crore under-runway tunnel, enabling a critical runway extension for Code E aircraft.

Key Points

1Construction has started on the 450-meter tunnel under the Varanasi International Airport runway, a project costing INR 250 crore.
2The tunnel is India's first national highway underpass (NH-31) beneath an active runway, scheduled for completion by late 2027.
3The underpass enables a critical runway extension from 2,745 meters to 4,075 meters, allowing the airport to handle Code E wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777.

Construction has officially begun on a pioneering infrastructure project at Varanasi International Airport (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport) in Uttar Pradesh. The project involves building a 450-meter tunnel directly beneath the active runway.

This underpass is a critical component of a larger airport expansion plan. It will allow traffic on National Highway 31 (NH-31) to flow uninterrupted below. This marks the first time in India that a national highway will pass directly beneath an operational runway.

Project Scope and Timeline

The tunnel project is estimated to cost INR 250 crore (approximately $30 million USD).

Work on the underpass is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2027.

The tunnel is designed to eliminate surface-level vehicular movement near the runway. This significantly enhances airside safety and operational efficiency for the airport.

Engineers have incorporated high-grade safety features into the structure. The design is blast-resistant to ensure robust protection for both commuters and aviation activity.

Enabling Major Aviation Expansion

The primary aviation benefit of the under-runway tunnel is the runway extension.

Once the highway traffic is successfully diverted underground, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will proceed.

The existing runway length of 2,745 meters will be extended.
The new, longer runway will measure 4,075 meters.

This substantial increase in length is crucial for the airport’s future. It will enable Varanasi to handle Code E aircraft.

Code E aircraft are large wide-body jets. These include models like the Boeing 777-337.

Handling these larger aircraft will allow for direct long-haul international flights. This will significantly boost the airport’s passenger capacity and global connectivity.

Regional and Economic Impact

The tunnel is part of a broader INR 2,870 crore airport development plan.

This overall expansion aims to increase the airport's annual passenger capacity. The capacity will more than double from 3.9 million to 9.9 million passengers per annum.

The project resolves a critical conflict between road and air infrastructure.
It supports the growth of Varanasi as a regional aviation hub.
Improved connectivity will stimulate economic growth and tourism in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

This innovative engineering solution is a key development in Indian infrastructure. It showcases the country's commitment to modern commercial aviation news and expansion. For more updates on global airport developments, visit our dedicated section on aviation news.