Bhubaneswar: To boost Odisha’s aviation infrastructure, the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar is set to receive a new terminal as part of a major expansion plan aimed at accommodating the growing number of domestic and international passengers.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, who reviewed the expansion plans on Friday, announced that the new terminal will help meet the increasing demand for air travel over the next decade. The construction work for the new terminal is expected to begin soon and will be completed within two years.
According to the minister, Terminal I at BPIA currently has the capacity to handle 40 lakh passengers per year. However, the number of passengers using the airport has already crossed 50 lakh annually, highlighting the urgent need for expansion. The new terminal will expand the airport’s capacity to 80 lakh passengers per year, catering to both domestic and international travelers.
Naidu also confirmed that permissions for the new terminal will be granted within a month, paving the way for construction to begin shortly.
In addition to the terminal expansion, several ongoing upgrades at BPIA are expected to enhance passenger facilities. Naidu mentioned that these passenger amenities will be completed within the next month, further improving the airport’s overall functionality. He also highlighted plans to upgrade the existing Instrument Landing System (ILS) from CAT I to CAT II, which will also be completed within a month, ensuring smoother operations for flights in challenging weather conditions.