Patna: Patna’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport has commenced operations from its newly constructed terminal, promising a major leap in infrastructure and capacity for the region. Inaugurated on May 29, the terminal officially opened to passengers from June 3, with the first Indigo flight arriving from Bengaluru at around 6:30 am.
The new terminal replaces the old one, which ceased operations at midnight on Monday. The modernised building, developed over a decade at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore, features separate arrival and departure areas on different floors, a sharp increase in check-in counters from 22 to 64, and five aerobridges to streamline boarding.
Airport authorities have issued an advisory urging passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure and to follow signages to adapt to the new layout. Enhanced security measures include the deployment of 20 Patna police personnel and 20 additional traffic officers, with regular patrols under the supervision of the airport police station.
Spread over 65,150 square metres—up from the previous 11,820—the G+1 terminal has a dedicated arrival zone on the ground floor and a departure area on the first floor. Five entry gates and four exit points have been constructed to ease movement. Multi-level parking with a capacity for 750 vehicles connects directly to the terminal via ramps.
Currently, the airport handles around 25 lakh passengers annually. With the new terminal operational, authorities anticipate the number rising to 1 crore. The number of flights is also expected to nearly double, from 34 to 75 daily.
Additional features include a cargo complex to aid agricultural exports, a dormitory for delayed passengers, and upgraded technology with high-tech scanners, sensor machines, and three types of CCTV cameras at security checkpoints.
A key milestone will be the resumption of international flights from Patna after a gap of 26 years. Routes to cities including Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Kathmandu, and Myanmar are expected to launch following the establishment of immigration counters at the new facility.
While the runway length remains 2,072 metres—short of the ideal 2,438 metres—parallel taxi tracks are under development to allow more efficient aircraft movement and reduce runway congestion.
The terminal’s design, executed by Singapore-based Meinhardt, reflects Bihar’s cultural heritage with artwork such as Mithila and 3D paintings showcased throughout the interior. Hyderabad’s Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited carried out the execution of the project.
