The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are set to embark on a groundbreaking infrastructure initiative at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation for a 2.89‑km tunnel costing approximately ₹652.5 crore. This elevated underpass will allow the NH‑31 (Varanasi–Lucknow Highway) to flow directly beneath an expanded runway, making Varanasi the first airport in India to feature such a highway-under-runway design.
📏 Project Highlights
- Tunnel details: A modern six‑lane tunnel stretching about 2.5–2.9 km, engineered with enhanced safety features, including video surveillance, CRPF deployment, patrolling vehicles, and ambulance services.
- Airfield expansion: The runway will be extended from 2,745 m to 4,075 m to accommodate larger aircraft like Boeing 777, facilitating simultaneous takeoffs and landings.
- Enhanced runway capacity: Annual aircraft movements are projected to nearly double, with peak-hour passenger handling rising from 1,050 to around 6,050 and annual passenger throughput increasing from 39 lakh to about 1 crore.
🚧 Execution and Infrastructure Integrations
- The ₹2,870 crore airport expansion also includes construction of a new terminal, apron extension, and taxiways.
- The tunnel works will be managed by NHAI, with groundwork and runway expansion contracts awarded through mid‑2025 and the project slated for completion by 2027.
- AAI collaborated with IIT Delhi for tunnel design, ensuring high safety standards. The project includes land clearance, tree felling, house demolitions, and enhanced drainage systems under accelerated timelines.
🌍 Inspiration & Impact
- The tunnel is inspired by advanced infrastructure models in global hubs like Singapore and European airports with traffic passing beneath active runways medium.
- Beyond facilitating seamless traffic flow on NH‑31, this tunnel-runway design marks Varanasi’s stride toward world-class status—boosting tourism, connectivity, and capacity across the region.
