January 16, 2024: The comprehensive expansion plan for Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal is set to commence in February 2024, as per media sources. The initial phase will focus on constructing a new terminal building, designed to accommodate a larger number of passengers than the current capacity. The upcoming terminal building will span 1 lakh square foot, and the expansion initiative includes the construction of 10 new aerobridges. The completion of six of these aerobridges is anticipated in the initial phase of the project.
See also: All about Bagdogra International Airport
The tender-acceptance process concluded in November 2023, followed by the examination and finalisation of bids in December 2023. With the allocated initial corpus of Rs 883.80 crore for the first phase, the construction is scheduled to begin next month. The initial phase is anticipated to finish in 30 months, while the entire expansion project aims for completion by 2029.
The urgency for expansion arises from the constant overcrowding at Bagdogra Airport, where the existing capacity of 5,000 passengers falls short of the daily footfall, which stands at around 20,000 passengers. Tender invitations for the project were initiated following the acquisition of 104 acre of land. The construction of the new terminal building is budgeted at Rs 950.45 crore, contributing to the total estimated project cost of Rs 1,884 crore.
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