Crime Today News
As Bihar heads for legislative assembly elections, the key issue ofaviation infrastructure development has taken centrestage in the State’s political circles.
Accordingly, both the Central and State governments are accelerating the development of key airport projects before the elections, which are scheduled for October–November.
Bihar’s airport development plans were also featured in the Budget FY26.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Budget proposed to facilitate the development of greenfield airports in Bihar. “These will be in addition to the expansion of the capacity of Patna airport and a brownfield airport at Bihar,” she said.
The massive push for airport infrastructure is expected to play a crucial role in the political narratives, said an industry insider, adding that parties try to showcase development as a major achievement to woo voters.
Development plans
Recently, the Nitish Kumar-led State government announced plans to develop 15 airports. At present, Bihar has three operational airports. The move is said to enhance air connectivity and boost regional economic growth.
Even the Central government, via its regional air connectivity Udan scheme, plans to lay the groundwork for airports at Valmikinagar, Birpur, Madhubani, Munger, Saharsa, and Muzaffarpur.
On its part, the State-run Airport Authority of India (AAI) plans to inaugurate a new terminal building at Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport by June. The new terminal building will increase passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to 10 million annually. The airport expansion is expected to enable direct international flights from Patna, offering greater convenience for travellers.
“The ultimate dream of flyers is to get direct connectivity. This feeling was aptly summarised by an aviation industry veteran sometime back in a phrase: “Direct from Patna to Paris” might eventually come true,” an industry insider told businessline.
Apart from a new terminal building, efforts are being made to decongest Patna airport by developing a second such infrastructure facility at Bihta, located around 25 kilometres from Patna.
As per the industry, AAI has started work on a civil enclave at the Bihta Air Force Station, and commercial operations are expected to begin by 2026. In terms of other key projects, theoperations at Purnia airport may commence by the mid-to-later part of this year. Furthermore, an expansion of Darbhanga airport has been planned to bring the infrastructure facility to an international level.
The Centre has also given green light for new greenfield airports at Rajgir and a brownfield one in Raxaul, along with feasibility studies that are underway for a new aero facility at Bhagalpur.
Published on April 30, 2025
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