Sonpur: A major greenfield international airport is proposed to be built in Sonpur in Bihar’s Saran district, similar to large aviation projects developed in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra. Spread across 4,228 acres, the proposed facility is expected to become the third-largest airport in India by area once completed.
The airport will feature two runways designed to handle a high volume of air traffic. The main runway will be about 4.2 km long, making it capable of accommodating the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. Currently, no airport in Bihar has a runway long enough to support the landing and take-off of such aircraft.
The proposed Sonpur Greenfield Airport is expected to be completed by 2030 and will be located in the Dariyapur Chaur area near Sonpur, around 15 km from Patna.
Ground reality: fertile farmland at proposed site
At present, the land identified for the airport is primarily agricultural and covered with crops such as wheat and mustard. The area lies around 15–20 feet below the nearby four-lane highway connecting Hajipur and Chhapra.
A visit to the proposed site reveals that the land is surrounded by fields and accessible through dusty rural tracks. Farmers here usually grow only one crop annually—mainly wheat and mustard—because the land remains waterlogged for nearly six months each year.
Challenges for airport construction
The project faces several technical and environmental challenges.
Low-lying terrain: The selected area is a low-lying region that remains submerged for months. To construct the airport, more than 4,228 acres of land would need to be filled up to about 15–20 feet, significantly increasing project costs.
Agricultural land: The site is fertile farmland due to regular water accumulation from rain and nearby rivers. Despite supporting only one crop annually, the yield is reportedly high.
Land acquisition: The state government will need to acquire land from farmers. While the official circle rate is relatively low, market prices have risen sharply due to the area’s proximity to Patna and growing real estate activity. The government has imposed restrictions on buying and selling land in the earmarked area.
Flood and waterlogging risks: The region is prone to flooding. Water from the Ganga and Gandak rivers can flow into the chaur during heavy rains or high river levels. Managing water drainage and flood protection will be a key factor in the airport’s design.
Wetland ecosystem: The area functions as a wetland for much of the year and attracts migratory birds during winter. Birds from distant regions, including Siberia, reportedly arrive between December and February. Experts warn that airport construction could affect this ecosystem.
Mixed reactions from locals
Residents of nearby Naya Gaon have mixed views about the proposed airport.
Local resident Ajil Singh welcomed the project, saying it could bring employment opportunities and development to the region.
“Land transactions have already increased here because of its proximity to Patna. If an international airport is built, farmers and local people will benefit. Hotels and malls may come up in the area,” he said.
Another resident, Mantu, said his family has been farming in the region for generations.
“There is no village directly on the proposed airport land. If the airport comes up, it will benefit the local population and boost development,” he said.
However, some residents remain skeptical. Ranjit Gupta said the project faces major practical challenges.
“This land remains submerged in water up to this level,” he said while gesturing to his neck. “Even if the airport land is filled, the surrounding areas will still have water. It will be a big achievement if the airport actually gets built.”
Government approvals and project status
The proposed Sonpur Greenfield Airport has received site clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Bihar government has approved Rs 1,302 crore for land acquisition.
The decision to develop the airport was cleared by the state cabinet led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on February 20, 2026.
The location is strategically close to Patna, with the Ganga River separating the proposed airport site from the state capital. At present, two bridges connect Patna to Sonpur and Hajipur—the four-lane Gandhi Setu and the two-lane JP Setu.
Two additional bridges are under construction parallel to these structures, including a six-lane bridge near JP Setu and a four-lane bridge near Gandhi Setu. Once completed, there will be four bridges with a combined capacity of 16 lanes connecting Patna to the northern side of the Ganga.
Third-largest airport in India
With a proposed area of 4,228 acres, the Sonpur airport would become the third-largest airport in India. The largest is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, which spans around 5,500 acres, followed by Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
Experts estimate that a greenfield airport of this scale could require an investment of around Rs 10,000 crore and significantly boost the regional economy.
Major aviation hub for eastern India
Once operational, the airport could serve passengers not only from Bihar but also from neighbouring states such as Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, as well as countries like Nepal and Bhutan. Travellers from these regions may be able to take direct international flights to destinations in the Middle East, Europe and the United States without having to transit through Delhi.
The long runway will allow the airport to handle large aircraft like the Airbus A380, a double-decker aircraft capable of carrying more than 850 passengers and powered by four engines.
Previous airport proposal shelved
Earlier, the Bihar government had proposed building a new airport near Punpun, close to Patna, in 2009. However, a survey by the Airports Authority of India found the area unsuitable due to waterlogging and low elevation, leading to the project being dropped.
Existing and upcoming airports near Patna
Patna currently operates the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, whose new terminal became fully operational in June 2025, increasing annual passenger capacity from 30 lakh to nearly one crore.
Another aviation project is underway at Bihta, near Patna, where a civil enclave is being developed alongside an Indian Air Force base. The facility is expected to be ready by 2027 to handle civilian flights.
