Darbhanga/ Patna: Darbhanga Airport has solidified its role as a critical logistics hub for North Bihar, expanding beyond passenger flights to include vital cargo services that are opening new markets for the region’s agricultural products. On Wednesday, the first consignment of approximately 2.5 tonnes of Muzaffarpur’s famed Shahi litchi was airlifted to Mumbai, dramatically shortening transit times and reducing spoilage risks for the delicate fruit.
Farmers and traders welcomed the development, which promises faster and safer transportation of perishable goods to major urban centres. Previously, litchis took several days to reach distant markets by road or rail, often spoiling en route and diminishing their commercial value. The new air route ensures the fruit can reach metros like Mumbai within hours, enhancing both freshness and profitability.
The launch event was attended by key figures including Bachcha Prasad Singh, president of the Bihar Litchi Producers Association, Darbhanga Airport Director Deepak Mishra, and Superintendent of Police Upendra Prasad. Singh revealed that daily shipments of two to two and a half tonnes of litchi are now planned, reflecting the scale of this ambitious initiative.
Beyond the immediate benefits for litchi producers, the airport’s expanding cargo capacity is expected to bolster the export potential of other local produce such as makhana and mangoes, contributing to the broader economic development of the region. In line with this vision, representatives from three major export companies recently toured Muzaffarpur’s key growing areas to assess export prospects. The association anticipates that international shipments will commence soon, potentially bringing Bihar’s prized litchi to global markets.
