Modi to virtually launch first phase of work on Bagdogra’s new terminal

way2barak, Oct 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday remotely lay the foundation stone for the first phase of the work on the Bagdogra airport’s new terminal, meeting a longstanding demand of the residents of north Bengal and the neighbouring states of Bihar and Sikkim.

Located 14km from here, Bagdogra has the second largest airport in Bengal. The airport also caters for neighbouring countries of Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

“It is a major development as the airport plays a crucial role in air connectivity of this region,” Raju Bista, the BJP MP of Darjeeling, said on Friday.

In the first phase, a new terminal of 70,390 square metres will come up. It will be able to accommodate around 3,000 passengers during peak hours, with an annual capacity to handle 10 million passengers.

The current terminal has around 8,000 square metres.

“There is also a plan to add another 50,000 square metres of area to the building in the future,” said a source.

Added to it, 10 parking bays for A321 aircraft, two link taxiways and multi-level parking will be developed in the first phase.

“The new terminal will be a green building where renewable energy would be utilised, along with natural light,” the source said.