Patna: A committee has been formed by the central government to oversee the proposed expansion of the runway at Patna Airport, with its first meeting expected to take place in April, according to officials.
The runway is set to be extended from 2,072.64 metres to 3,657.6 metres as part of a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving operational capacity. The panel, a 20-member body chaired by the secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, also includes representatives from the Airports Authority of India, along with the director of Patna Zoo and the state’s chief conservator of forests.
According to officials, the April meeting will focus on land acquisition requirements and assess the environmental and operational impact of the project, particularly its implications for the neighbouring zoo ecosystem.
The expansion plan involves extending the runway eastwards, requiring approximately 15 acres of land from the zoo. The proposed alignment would push the runway forward by around 500 metres, affecting areas up to the vicinity of Gate Number 2 of the zoo. Land between the airport boundary and Peer Ali Path—stretching roughly 300 metres into the zoo premises—is also expected to be acquired.
Separately, officials have also examined the height of the Bihar Secretariat Clock Tower, after concerns were raised that it may interfere with flight approaches. At 49.5 metres, the structure is reported to be affecting landing angles, with aircraft currently required to approach at 3.5 degrees instead of the standard 3 degrees.
As a result, proposals have suggested reducing the clock tower’s height by around 17.5 metres to ensure compliance with aviation norms and facilitate safer landings.
