Patna: The long-delayed installation of radar at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna has moved a step closer to reality after the district administration allocated land required for the project, officials said, raising hopes of safer and more frequent flight operations from Bihar’s busiest airport.
According to officials, one acre of land each at two separate locations has been identified and allocated to airport authorities, resolving a key bottleneck that had stalled the project for years. One of the plots belongs to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and is set to be transferred shortly, while the second parcel belongs to the Bihar State Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA).
The BIADA land, located behind the Bihar State Road Development Corporation office, had earlier been earmarked for a commercial mall. Airport authorities objected to the proposal on security grounds, leading to its cancellation and eventual reallocation for aviation infrastructure.
At present, aircraft operations at Patna airport rely largely on visual and conventional navigation systems. Around 45 pairs of flights operate daily from the single-runway airport. Although a new terminal building, constructed at a cost of around Rs 1,200 crore, is ready, the absence of radar has constrained the number of landings and take-offs, particularly during adverse weather.
Airport officials said the installation of radar would allow real-time tracking of aircraft, including their location, speed and distance, significantly improving operational safety. Crucially, it would also enable flights to operate more reliably during fog, low visibility and poor weather—conditions that frequently disrupt air traffic in the region.
“The radar will allow a much higher frequency of aircraft movements on the single runway and will be a major upgrade in terms of safety and efficiency,” an official said.
The move is also seen as essential for the launch of international flights from Patna, which have so far remained limited despite growing passenger demand and upgraded terminal facilities.
Once the land transfer is completed, the airport administration is expected to send a formal proposal to the central government. Officials estimate that the process of approvals, paperwork and technical installation will take about six months.
In Bihar, Darbhanga and Purnea airports currently have radar coverage through nearby Air Force facilities, while Gaya airport, like Patna, is yet to be equipped with its own radar system.
