The Rs 2.870 billion project for the expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International (LBSI) Airport, which has already commenced, will include several stakeholder facilities. These will feature a cargo area for agricultural products, an aviation fuel station, a piped natural gas (PNG) line for the food court, and more. The expansion will also incorporate an underpass beneath the extended runway, which will accommodate the Varanasi-Lucknow highway.

To discuss the airport's masterplan and gather feedback from stakeholders, project officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) recently held a meeting with the Airport User Consultative Committee (AUCC). The meeting was attended by Puneet Gupta, the airport director, and VK Pandey, DGM (civil) and the project's nodal officer. After the meeting, the officials mentioned that several key issues were raised by agencies like the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). APEDA had suggested integrating cargo with agricultural exports to benefit local farmers. The AAI officials assured that this would be incorporated into the masterplan.

The aviation fuel agency, IOCL, had requested a relocation plan for the aviation fuel station, aligned with the airport's development. The AAI officials confirmed that the new location for the aviation fuel station had already been finalised in the masterplan. Regarding the underpass beneath the expanded runway, the officials clarified that AAI would cover only the construction costs, and the provision had already been included in the budget.

Regarding the Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) fund, the officials explained that, in accordance with government policy, the CER fund would be available and used in consultation with the state government. When GAIL officials inquired about the provision of a PNG line for the food court, AAI officials informed them that land had been allocated in coordination with the planning department.

The officials confirmed that the Rs 28.70 billion airport expansion project had already begun with the awarding of work for the initial phase, which includes the construction of the terminal building. The second phase, involving the construction of the expanded runway, will be awarded in July 2025. The project is expected to be completed by 2027. As per the masterplan, the airport's area will increase to 774 acre, including 639 acre inside the airport and 135 acre outside. The state government is arranging for 350 acre of land for this purpose.

Following the expansion, the runway will extend to 4,075 metres from its current 2,745 metres. The number of bays in the apron will rise from 11 to 20. The terminal's area, currently 24,500 square metres, will expand to 99,500 square metres. The peak hour handling capacity will grow from 1,050 passengers to 6,050, while the annual capacity will increase from 39 lakh passengers to ten million passengers.

Check-in counters will increase from 21 to 93, and baggage claim belts will rise to nine from two. The number of aerobridges will increase to 12 from the existing four. Car parking capacity will grow from 500 to 1,000 at surface level, with an additional 1,000 spaces in multi-level parking. The airport is expected to achieve a 5-star GRIHA rating.

The design of the new terminal will be inspired by Lord Shiva's trident, the architecture of KV Dham, and the Jharokhas of Rajasthan palaces. The interior of the terminal building will feature images reflecting the Mudras of Natraj, iconic ghats along the river Ganga, boats, and handicrafts.