The Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal is undergoing a major redesign worth Rs 20 crore aimed at easing congestion by introducing separate arrival and departure halls. The project, which marks a first for the state, is expected to significantly streamline passenger movement and vehicular traffic at one of Madhya Pradesh’s busiest gateways.
Currently, both arrivals and departures are managed from the same floor of the terminal, creating bottlenecks during peak flight operations. Officials explained that overlapping passenger flows frequently lead to overcrowding, making vehicle movement at the terminal exit particularly difficult. The redesign seeks to address this challenge by reconfiguring space and optimising passenger handling. The first phase of the project, involving the creation of a new arrival hall on the lower ground floor, is in its final stages and is scheduled to be operational by October. The second phase will revamp the departure hall, which will remain on the upper ground floor, along with the expansion of the Security Hold Area (SHA).
The new arrival hall will span approximately 2,700 square metres, compared with the 2,000 square metres currently allocated. This additional space is expected to improve passenger comfort, enhance processing capacity, and reduce congestion. The vacated area on the upper floor will be redeveloped into a larger departure hall, an international arrivals section, and an expanded SHA, thereby boosting the airport’s overall capacity. In terms of passenger convenience, the new arrival hall will be fitted with state-of-the-art amenities, including real-time flight information display systems, three baggage conveyor belts, lifts, and escalators for seamless vertical movement. The redesign also brings the arrival hall closer to the parking area—just 150 metres away—giving passengers quicker and easier access to ground transport.
Officials stressed that the redesign will not only enhance the travel experience but also improve traffic circulation outside the terminal. By providing separate access routes for arriving and departing passengers, the project aims to minimise vehicle pile-ups on the city side of the airport. The Raja Bhoj Airport is already seen as a vital link for central India, catering to both domestic and limited international operations. With passenger volumes steadily climbing, particularly during festive and peak travel seasons, the expansion has become crucial for sustaining service quality.
Airport authorities emphasised that the project positions Bhopal as the first in Madhya Pradesh to have fully separated arrival and departure halls. They noted that such an upgrade aligns with national aviation goals of improving efficiency, enhancing passenger comfort, and reducing congestion in fast-growing regional airports.
Also Read : Nagpur Railway Stations Tighten Security Amid Passenger Rush On Trains And Platforms
