Bhubaneswar Airport expansion: Rs 1000-crore redesign for integrated T3 terminal facility

The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar is set for a major expansion, with the proposed Terminal 3 (T3) being redesigned as a standalone integrated facility, abandoning earlier plans to split arrival and departure operations between two terminals.

According to The Times of India, authorities have confirmed that T3 will now handle both arrivals and departures within the same structure, spanning 65,000 square metres.

Once completed, the new terminal will have the capacity to manage 86 lakh passengers annually and up to 3,000 during peak hours, significantly enhancing the airport’s operational efficiency and passenger experience.

Reports stated that earlier, airport planners had proposed a segregated terminal model where T1 would handle one function while the new T3 would serve the other.

However, following stakeholder consultations, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) decided on an integrated design for Bhubaneswar airport, citing concerns over logistical complications and passenger convenience in a dual-terminal setup.

Infrastructure Expansion and Operational Upgrades Ahead

According to airport officials, the existing operational area offers adequate land adjacent to the current T1 building for the T3 expansion.

While the airport currently accommodates aircraft at 18 parking bays (aprons), the redesign will require the addition of at least six new aerobridges to match projected traffic volumes.

The overall cost of the T3 terminal project is estimated at around Rs 1,000 crore, pending formal approval by the AAI board.

State’s Aviation Infrastructure Sees Broader Momentum

The redesign of Bhubaneswar’s T3 terminal comes at a time when Odisha is witnessing parallel progress in another landmark aviation project with the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri.

As per the latest developments, authorities are currently working with the Wildlife Institute of India to finalise a conservation plan for ecologically sensitive species in the area, including Olive Ridley turtles and dolphins. Once these conditions are met, the project will move toward the tendering stage, with a Request for Proposal (RFP) expected soon.