LBSI Airport to Feature India's First Highway Underpass on Runway.

The expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International (LBSI) Airport in Varanasi, a project valued at Rs 2,870 crore, is well underway and will introduce a range of advanced facilities to enhance the airport's infrastructure. Notably, the project includes a highway underpass beneath the expanded runway, making it the first of its kind in India. The underpass will allow the Varanasi-Lucknow highway to pass seamlessly through the airport’s upgraded runway.

A recent meeting of the Airport User Consultative Committee (AUCC) gathered input from various stakeholders, including officials from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), who highlighted the importance of integrating cargo facilities for agricultural exports to benefit local farmers. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) assured that this integration would be included in the master plan. Additionally, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) requested the relocation of the aviation fuel station to accommodate the expansion, with AAI confirming that a new location for the station has already been secured in the plans.

The expansion project also includes the establishment of a piped natural gas (PNG) line for the food court, a crucial step for enhancing sustainability at the airport. The AAI confirmed that land has been allocated for this in collaboration with the state planning department.

Work on the first phase of the expansion, which includes the construction of a new terminal building, began in July 2024. The second phase, set for completion in 2027, will focus on the expanded runway, which will stretch 4,075 meters, a significant increase from the existing 2,745 meters. The airport’s area will expand to 774 acres, with 350 acres of land being arranged by the state government.

Following the expansion, the airport's capacity to handle passengers will grow substantially. The terminal will expand from 24,500 square meters to 99,500 square meters, with peak-hour handling capacity increasing from 1,050 to 6,050 passengers. Annual passenger capacity will rise from 39 lakh to one crore passengers, and amenities will include increased check-in counters, baggage claim belts, aerobridges, and car parking spaces.

The new terminal design, inspired by cultural and architectural elements such as the trident of Lord Shiva, the architecture of KV Dham, and Rajasthan palace jharokhas, will also feature unique interior walls adorned with images of Natraj mudras, iconic ghats along the Ganga, boats, and regional handicrafts. The airport aims to achieve a 5-star GRIHA rating for its sustainability efforts.

ET