Jodhpur's New Airport Terminal to Fulfil 30-Year Dream: Shekhawat

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Gateway to the Desert: Jodhpur Airport New Terminal by Diwali

By S Jha

Jodhpur, April 18, 2025: Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday said that the new terminal of the Jodhpur Airport will be inaugurated around Diwali this year.

The Minister visited the under-construction terminal building of Jodhpur Airport on Friday. He expressed satisfaction over the pace of work.

Addressing the media during his visit, Shekhawat said, “This is not just an infrastructure upgrade, it is the fulfilment of a 30-year-old dream for the people of Jodhpur.”

He also stated that “Jodhpur with the new terminal will be well-connected to all major cities across India”.

Gateway to the Desert, Ready for the World

Highlighting the historical and strategic importance of the city, Shekhawat called Jodhpur the “gateway to the Thar Desert”. He shared that Jodhpur Airport will soon be ready to be converted from a domestic to international terminal with just a one-month notice — thanks to its upgraded features.

“This expansion will boost tourism and directly benefit industries like handicrafts, steel, textiles, chemicals, stones, and engineering,” Shekhawat said.

He also stated that “Jodhpur, rich in culture and strategic importance, will gain new momentum in regional development and attract global tourists”.

Remembering Manohar Parrikar

Shekhawat paid heartfelt tribute to late Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, recalling his pivotal role in resolving critical hurdles such as land acquisition.

Thanks to Parrikar’s intervention, 37 acres of land were made available, paving the way for airport development, said the Minister.

“He understood the pain of aircrafts being held on runways due to lack of space, and fast-tracked approvals even before formal land exchange was complete,” Shekhawat said.

He also acknowledged former Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju for facilitating the installation of automatic landing systems that now allow night landings at the airport.

Key Features of the New Terminal

With an investment of ₹480 crore, the new terminal is a blend of modernity and local identity, incorporating Jodhpur’s signature ‘Chheetar stone’ in its design.

The expanded terminal will transform passenger experience with:

Capacity increase from 200 to 2,000 passengers
Terminal area expanding from 3,900 sq. m to 24,000 sq. m
Six aero bridges for seamless aircraft boarding
Multi-level parking for 300 cars
Three baggage conveyor belts (up from one)
Twelve aircraft parking bays
Escalators, lifts, and night landing systems
Energy-efficient and environment-friendly design

He also noted that the old terminal will still be used for special events like Haj pilgrimages.

Jodhpur Airport: A Historical Legacy

Jodhpur Airport was originally established in the 1930s by Maharaja Umaid Singh and later served the British Royal Air Force. Post-independence, it became a strategic base for the Indian Air Force and remains one of the oldest and most strategically significant airbases in India. Civil flights began in the 1950s, and today, the airport is set to take a giant leap forward.

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