GUWAHATI: Cane & Bamboo Value Chain Management (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. (CanBoo), a Guwahati-based bamboo-specialised enterprise, has created a national milestone by designing and constructing the Bamboo Village Vaults at the arrival area of Terminal 2 of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. The project is being recognised as one of the largest applications of treated natural bamboo in a major Indian airport and a defining example of sustainable, culture-led infrastructure.
Founded by Kamesh Salam, former President of the World Bamboo Organisation and Founder of World Bamboo Day, CanBoo is widely regarded as an authority on bamboo in South Asia. The Guwahati Airport project reflects more than three decades of sectoral expertise translated into a high-visibility public asset.
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An Airport Conceived as a Living Ecosystem
From bamboo and orchids to skylights and sky forests—this is not just an airport, it is a living ecosystem.
Inspired by Assam’s foxtail orchids, indigenous bamboo, and the landscapes of Kaziranga, the new Terminal 2 has been envisioned as a “living forest” that enhances passenger wellbeing while reducing environmental impact. The terminal was designed by Adani Group’s principal architect Nurul Karim of NUDES, Mumbai. This philosophy—where modern infrastructure coexists with nature rather than dominating it—earned the project the International Architectural Award 2025, placing Guwahati on the global map of sustainable aviation architecture.
Two Architectural Narratives, One Unified Vision
The orchid-themed terminal integrates two distinct yet complementary expressions. The departure area is executed using bamboo composites and engineered bamboo imported from China, similar to Bengaluru’s T2 terminal. The arrival area, however, tells a different story.
Here, CanBoo conceptualised and executed the Bamboo Village Vaults—a narrative architectural space depicting an Assamese village—using natural bamboo sourced from the North East. Working closely with Adani’s design and technical teams, CanBoo translated the architectural vision into a structurally robust, durable, and culturally authentic installation.
Local Materials, Regional Value Chains
The Bamboo Village Vaults use regionally sourced bamboo species—Bhuluka and Jati (Tulda) from Assam and Apatani bamboo from Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh. This approach significantly reduced embodied carbon, strengthened local value chains, and reinforced the cultural identity of Assam and the wider North East through material authenticity.
From Mock-Up to Execution at Scale
In late 2024, CanBoo developed a full-scale mock-up of the Bamboo Village Vaults, bringing master bamboo trainers from Bali (Indonesia) together with skilled artisans from Boroland, Kaziranga, and Kakopathar in Assam. Following approvals, CanBoo commenced on-site work in March 2025.
Design coordination and execution were led by Architect Pradip Gogoi, Project Manager at CanBoo. A dedicated steel sub-frame—engineered and fabricated by CanBoo’s team led by Er. Th. Roshan Singh—enabled the safe and precise installation of bamboo elements at scale. The workforce represented a rare collaboration of artisans from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur, making the project a strong model of inclusive, skills-based green employment.
All works were executed under the supervision of Shapoorji Pallonji and the Adani Group technical teams.
A North East Growth Story Aligned with Viksit Bharat
The project also reflects the Adani Group’s long-term commitment to being an active partner in the North East India growth story. By investing in climate-sensitive, locally rooted infrastructure, the Group is positioning the region as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia while advancing India’s Viksit Bharat vision—where world-class infrastructure strengthens regional economies, indigenous skills, and sustainable materials.
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A National Milestone for Bamboo Infrastructure
The project reached its defining moment on 20 December 2025, when the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the terminal. During the inauguration, the CanBoo team briefed the Prime Minister on the durability, longevity, and maintenance protocols of the bamboo works, reinforcing confidence in treated natural bamboo for long-life public infrastructure.
Despite the complexity of working with natural materials, over 85% of the bamboo works were completed in record time, making the project a landmark in India’s sustainability journey.
What Sets This Project Apart
One of India’s largest airport-scale natural bamboo installations; high-volume use of treated natural bamboo; hyper-local sourcing combined with global craftsmanship; narrative architecture depicting an Assamese village; integrated design–build leadership by CanBoo; and strong replication potential for future airports and public infrastructure.
Founder’s Note
“This project proves that natural bamboo, when scientifically treated and engineered, can meet the highest standards of world-class public infrastructure. Completing such a complex work in record time using local bamboo and regional talent shows that sustainability, cultural identity, and economic inclusion can move forward together.”
— Kamesh Salam, Founder & Director, CanBoo
(Ukhrul Times has not altered the material in any manner. The content is published exactly as received from the original source.)
