**Policy Summary: Expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi**
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4673, has outlined plans for the expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is undertaking the following projects: extension of the runway to 4075 meters, expansion of the apron to accommodate 20 aircraft parking bays, and construction of a new terminal building capable of handling 5000 passengers during peak hours, along with associated infrastructure improvements. The estimated total cost for these projects is Rs. 2869.65 Crore. The contract for the construction of the new terminal building was awarded on July 10, 2024. The runway extension and apron expansion are currently in the tendering stage. Contracts are awarded by AAI through an open tendering process via the Central Public Procurement (CPP) Portal, which is maintained by the Government of India.
Key Entities Referenced
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport: International airport located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, which is the subject of proposed expansion.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Shri Rajeev Rai: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding the expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The organization responsible for the development, management, and maintenance of civil aviation infrastructure in India, undertaking the expansion project at Varanasi Airport.
Varanasi Airport: Short name for Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Central Public Procurement (CPP) Portal: The online portal maintained by the Government of India used by AAI for open tendering of contracts.
Uttar Pradesh: The state in India where Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4673
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st August 2025 )
EXPANSION OF LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
4673. SHRI RAJEEV RAI
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes to undertake expansion of the runway and apron area at
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi in addition to the construction of a new
terminal building;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated for the said work;
(c) whether the contract for the said construction has been awarded;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the procedure followed for awarding the contract; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor along with the time by which the said construction work is
likely to be started?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (e): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken the extension of the runway
to 4075 metres, expansion of the apron to accommodate 20 aircraft parking bays, and
construction of a new Terminal Building with a passenger handling capacity of 5000 peak-
hour passengers, along with allied works at Varanasi Airport, at an estimated cost of
Rs.2869.65 Crore.;
;
The work for the Terminal Building was awarded on 10.07.2024, while the works relating to
runway extension and apron expansion are presently at the tendering stage.
;
The contracts are awarded by AAI via open tendering through the Central Public
Procurement (CPP) Portal, being maintained by Government of India.
******