Bhubaneswar, Dec 3 (IANS): The Central government has decided to expand the Biju Patnaik International Airport at an investment of Rs 930 crore to handle the increased air passengers, said an official on Monday.

"We have committed that we will be expanding the capacity of Bhubaneswar airport from 3.5 million passengers per annum to 11.5 million per annum. For this, a new terminal building will be constructed to handle 8 million passengers per annum," said Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey after a meeting with Odisha government officials here.

He said the construction of the new terminal is likely to begin in July-August next year and will be completed in three years' time.

Joint Secretary of Civil Aviation Usha Padhee said the terminal capacity will be increased as there is around 30 per cent growth in footfall of passengers at the city airport.

She said there is no need to acquire land for the expansion as the required land is available in the existing airport complex.