Darbhanga: The new terminal building at Darbhanga airport is expected to become operational by November, with 54% of the construction work completed so far. The terminal was initially scheduled to open by July, but the remaining work is expected to take around 10 months, delaying the launch until later in the year, officials said.
Once fully functional, the terminal is projected to significantly expand the airport’s capacity, enabling it to handle up to 2.3 million passengers annually. Aircraft handling capacity is also expected to increase nearly fourfold, marking a major upgrade for the region’s air infrastructure.
Spread over 62,800 square metres, the three-storey terminal will include a basement, a ground floor for arrivals and a first floor for departures. A multi-level parking facility and additional passenger amenities are being developed in the civil enclave near the Air Force station, with the total project cost estimated at Rs 911 crore.
The new apron will be able to accommodate seven aircraft simultaneously, compared with just two at present. This expansion could increase the number of daily flights from 16 to as many as 64, substantially improving connectivity for north Bihar and neighbouring regions.
The airport’s 2,743-metre runway, operated by the Indian Air Force, has also been recarpeted with a fresh bitumen layer, improving grip and braking performance for landing aircraft. The runway is suitable for Boeing and Airbus aircraft, which officials say can operate more easily in Darbhanga than at Patna.
S. Raja Reddy, General Manager of the Darbhanga airport project, said efforts are being made to fast-track construction and ensure the terminal becomes operational by the end of the year, potentially transforming air travel in the region.
