Upendra Kushwaha Urges Centre to Name Bihta Airport After Karpuri Thakur

Patna: Rajya Sabha MP and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha has called for the under-construction Bihta airport near Patna to be named Bharat Ratna Jananayak Karpuri Thakur International Airport. At a press conference marking the 37th death anniversary of Karpuri Thakur, Kushwaha announced plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu to formalize this request.

Kushwaha urged leaders across Bihar’s political spectrum to support this initiative, emphasizing that it would honor Karpuri Thakur’s legacy and introduce his contributions to a global audience.

The Bihta Airport project has recently progressed, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) awarding the construction contract to a Russian firm under the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. The project, estimated at Rs 459.99 crore, includes building a new integrated terminal, utility structures, and an elevated roadway. The terminal is designed to handle 3,000 peak-hour passengers and will feature six aerobridges and 64 check-in counters. Completion is targeted for the end of 2027, aiming to alleviate congestion at Patna’s existing airport and boost regional connectivity.

In tandem, infrastructure developments such as a 25.08 km elevated road connecting Patna to Bihta are underway, with an expected completion by September 2026. This project, managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), aims to streamline access to the upcoming airport and promote economic growth in the region.

Kushwaha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for posthumously honoring Karpuri Thakur with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.