Bagdogra Airport Expansion: New Eco-Friendly Terminal To Handle 1,000 Passengers Per Hour

Bagdogra is a quaint hill station located in the foothills of the Himalayas, within the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Often regarded as the gateway to Northeast India and the Eastern Himalayas, it plays a vital role in regional connectivity. Bagdogra Airport, situated at the base of the Himalayas, serves as the primary air entry point for travellers en route to popular destinations such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, the Dooars, and Sikkim. With steadily rising air traffic, the Airports Authority of India has initiated a major expansion project to construct a modern terminal at Bagdogra.

As per reports, the new terminal is set to become a climate-conscious aviation hub. Currently under construction, the civil enclave will span an impressive 1.2 million sq ft. Designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, the terminal will be able to handle up to 1,000 passengers per hour.

Himalaya-Inspired Design

The new terminal, designed by CP Kukreja Architects, will take architectural inspiration from the Himalayan landscape surrounding Bagdogra. Elements such as vertical aluminium fins and sloping pitched roofs on the façade are intended to reflect the contours of Darjeeling’s tea gardens and the rugged silhouette of the Kangchenjunga range. Given that the site is located on flood-prone land, climate resilience has been prioritised in the planning. As part of this, the development will feature a robust stormwater management system, including culverts, retaining walls, and integrated drainage channels to manage excess water effectively.

The terminal is being developed as a net-zero carbon facility, with passive cooling strategies, low-emissivity glazing, and renewable energy systems incorporated to minimise environmental impact. Positioned between North Bengal and the Northeast, Bagdogra plays a vital role in regional connectivity. Upon completion, the terminal is expected to stand out as both a local landmark and a model for sustainable airport infrastructure in India.

The announcement of Bagdogra Airport’s major transformation was made in February 2025, outlining plans for a new terminal ten times the size of the existing facility. It was announced that the project will roll out in two phases—first building the 70,400 sq m terminal, followed by upgrades to runways and taxiways. A second phase will add another 50,000 sq m to the terminal, enhancing capacity and efficiency.

About The Airport

Bagdogra Airport, located in West Bengal, is a mid-sized facility with separate terminals for domestic and a few international flights, allowing restricted international services to destinations such as Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi and Paro. It operates with a single runway. The airport functions as a "civil enclave" — a designated zone within a military airbase reserved for civilian air traffic.