Kashi Airport Set to Become Latest Airport with Runway Over Highway.

The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi is poised for a significant transformation after waiting two decades for approval from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for its runway expansion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation for the ₹2,870 crore project on October 20, which will not only expand the runway but also add a unique feature: a runway underpass.

Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma confirmed to TOI that during his visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate four airport projects across various cities, including Varanasi. The Varanasi project entails the construction of a new terminal, apron, runway extension, and a parallel taxi track.

This project was added late to the list of initiatives for the Prime Minister's visit due to land acquisition issues in populated areas. Sharma stated that the government will issue necessary orders to resolve these land acquisition hurdles and that the tender process for the contract is nearing completion. He emphasized the importance of the foundation-laying ceremony for the project, as it aligns with a cabinet approval for multiple airport projects.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the underpass construction beneath the runway, and officials have indicated that NHAI will submit a separate proposal with cost estimates for its work.

The groundwork for this expansion was laid when the Modi-led central cabinet approved the AAI’s proposal in June, which had been initially submitted in 2004. The plan had faced delays due to the presence of a railway track to the east of the runway and the Varanasi-Lucknow National Highway to the west. After the Modi government came to power in 2014, the proposal gained momentum, with the AAI seeking land from the Uttar Pradesh government in 2015.

LBSI Airport Director Puneet Gupta stated that the project is set to double the airport's capacity, increasing its annual passenger handling from 3.9 million to 9.9 million. In accordance with the AAI's 2047 master plan, which aims to enhance capacity across all airports to meet future demands, the runway will be extended from 2,750 meters to 4,075 meters, facilitating the operation of larger cargo and jumbo aircraft.

The expansion will include a new terminal covering 75,000 square meters, with a projected annual capacity of 6 million passengers and a peak hour capacity of 5,000 flyers. Gupta noted that the new terminal will reflect the city’s cultural heritage, similar to developments in Ayodhya.

ET