Varanasi Airport's Historic Upgrade: A Rs 2,870 Crore Transformation
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi is embarking on a monumental infrastructure project, setting a new benchmark for aviation in India. With a massive investment of Rs 2,870 crore, the airport is being transformed to handle significantly increased traffic and larger aircraft.
Nighttime Construction Blocks for Major Technical Work
To facilitate this ambitious upgrade, airport authorities have implemented an 8-hour nightly construction block from 11:30 PM to 7:30 AM, which began on Monday night and will continue through October. This strategic timing minimizes disruption to daytime flight operations when air traffic is at its peak.
Airport Director Puneet Gupta explained: "This block between 11:30 PM and 7:30 AM started from Monday night and will be utilized for major technical work to strengthen the runway for the landing of heavy category aircraft, installing an advanced airfield ground lighting system, and an Instrument Landing System (ILS). This block will continue till October, and the period may extend in case of further need."
India's First Airport with Highway Under Runway
The most groundbreaking aspect of this expansion is the creation of India's first airport with a national highway running directly underneath its runway. The National Highway Authority of India has commenced work on constructing a tunnel that will allow highway traffic to pass beneath the extended runway.
This innovative design solution enables the airport to expand its runway to 4,075 meters from the current 2,750 meters while maintaining crucial ground transportation connectivity. The extended runway will accommodate heavy cargo planes and jumbo aircraft that previously couldn't land at the facility.
Project Timeline and Capacity Enhancement
The expansion plan gained momentum following Union Cabinet approval in June 2024, with ground work beginning in January 2025. The comprehensive project includes:
- Construction of a new terminal building that started in January 2025
- Runway extension to 4,075 meters with highway tunnel integration
- Installation of advanced airfield lighting systems
- Implementation of sophisticated Instrument Landing Systems
- Strengthening of existing runway infrastructure
"We are targeting completion of the entire project by the end of December," stated Airport Director Gupta. "To achieve the target, the works proposed to strengthen the existing runway for the operation of heavy aircraft, and other infrastructure-related works, including the installation of lighting, made this block a must."
Significant Capacity Increase
Upon completion, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport will experience a dramatic increase in its operational capacity. The annual passenger handling capability will surge from 39 lakh (3.9 million) to an impressive 99 lakh (9.9 million) passengers per year.
This expansion is particularly significant as Varanasi serves as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, highlighting the government's commitment to developing world-class infrastructure across India. The project represents a major step forward in enhancing regional connectivity and supporting economic growth in Uttar Pradesh and surrounding regions.
