Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar could be headed for a major infrastructure upgrade, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) seeking approval for a proposed Terminal 3 (T3) estimated to cost more than ₹1,200 crore.
According to a report by The Times of India cited by Odisha TV, AAI has submitted the proposal to the Union Finance Ministry’s Public Investment Board (PIB). If approved, the project will pave the way for the tendering process.
The proposed terminal is aimed at meeting the airport’s growing passenger demand and is planned to bring domestic and international flight operations under one roof.
New terminal to handle 8.6 million passengers
The proposed Terminal 3 is expected to have an annual passenger-handling capacity of 8.6 million.
At present, BPIA operates two separate terminals. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights, while Terminal 2 caters to international operations, including customs and immigration facilities.
The new terminal is expected to streamline these operations and offer an integrated experience for passengers travelling on both domestic and international routes.
Land available within airport premises
Officials said land for the proposed T3 is available within the airport’s operational area, near the existing Terminal 1 building.
The final design will be prepared after taking into account factors such as air traffic growth, passenger convenience and commercial activities, officials said.
The airport currently has 18 aircraft aprons leading to the bays. Once the proposed Terminal 3 becomes operational, the airport is expected to require six additional aerobridges.
How Bhubaneswar airport expanded over the years
Biju Patnaik International Airport originally operated with a single terminal, which served domestic passengers.
The old domestic terminal was subsequently converted into the international terminal, T2, in March 2013.
A new domestic terminal was later constructed at a cost of ₹145 crore. Built on a modular design, the existing Terminal 1 was planned to allow further expansion and can handle around 1,000 passengers during peak periods.
With passenger traffic expected to grow further, the proposed Terminal 3 could significantly expand the airport’s capacity while integrating domestic and international operations.
What happens next?
The immediate step is the Public Investment Board’s approval of the proposal. Once the required approval is secured, AAI can proceed with the tendering process for the project.
If implemented, the ₹1,200-crore-plus Terminal 3 would mark another major phase in the expansion of Bhubaneswar airport and strengthen its ability to cater to rising passenger traffic.
