Union Cabinet approves Rs 2869.65 crore for development of Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri international airport

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved a comprehensive development plan for Lal Bahadur Shastri international airport in Varanasi, with a projected cost of Rs 2869.65 crore. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will oversee the project, which aims to significantly enhance the airport's passenger handling capacity from the current 3.9 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 9.9 MPPA.
The development includes constructing a new terminal building, extending the runway, and expanding the apron. The new terminal will cover an area of 75,000 square meters, accommodating 6 MPPA and up to 5,000 peak hour passengers. It will reflect Varanasi's rich cultural heritage, providing travelers with a unique experience.
Key aspects of the project include the extension of the runway to 4075 meters in length and 45 meters in width, and the construction of a new apron capable of parking 20 aircraft. The airport is set to become a green airport, focusing environmental sustainability through energy optimization, waste recycling, carbon footprint reduction, solar energy utilization, and the use of natural daylighting.