The proposal to develop the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi including the construction of the new terminal building, apron extension, runway extension, parallel taxi track and allied works, by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was approved on 19 June by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Enhancing the passenger handling capacity of the airport to 9.9 million passengers per annum (MPPA) from the existing 3.9 MPPA is estimated to cost Rs 2869.65 Crore. The New Terminal Building, is designed for a capacity of 6 MPPA and for handling 5000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP), encompassing an area of 75,000 square metres. It will be designed in a way to showcase the vast cultural heritage of the city.
The runway is to be extended to dimensions 4075m by 45m according to the proposal. Construction of a new apron to park 20 aircraft has also been proposed.
With the primary objective of ensuring environmental sustainability, Varanasi airport will be developed as a green airport. This is to be facilitated through energy optimisation, waste recycling, carbon footprint reduction, solar energy utilisation and incorporation of natural daylighting, alongside other sustainable measures throughout the planning, development and operational stages.
