Patna: Preparations have begun to fully operationalise the parallel taxi track at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, a move expected to significantly reduce aircraft waiting time on the runway and improve overall flight efficiency.
The Bihar government has transferred 1.85 acres of land belonging to the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA), located adjacent to the airport, to airport authorities to facilitate the process.
Land Allocation for Infrastructure Shift
According to officials, the newly allocated land will be used to relocate technical and security equipment that currently obstructs the optimal use of the parallel taxi track.
Airport authorities said several operational systems and safety-related installations are presently placed in areas that restrict the smooth functioning of the taxiway. These will now be systematically shifted to the designated BIADA plot.
Faster Taxiing, Reduced Runway Congestion
Once fully operational, the parallel taxi track is expected to allow aircraft to taxi more efficiently between runway and parking bays, reducing delays during take-off and landing cycles.
At present, aircraft often remain on the runway for longer durations due to limited movement flexibility, affecting scheduling and air traffic flow.
Officials said the new arrangement will help reduce runway occupancy time and improve turnaround efficiency for arriving and departing flights.
Response to Rising Passenger Load
Airport authorities and experts note that Patna Airport has emerged as one of the busier regional airports, with steadily increasing passenger traffic despite space constraints.
The optimisation of the parallel taxi track is being viewed as a key infrastructure step to support growing demand and enhance operational capacity in the coming years.
The development is also expected to allow for smoother handling of additional flight movements in peak hours.
Phased Implementation Plan
Patna Airport Director C.P. Dwivedi said the land transfer and equipment relocation will be carried out in phases to ensure uninterrupted airport operations.
He added that a boundary wall is also being constructed around the newly acquired BIADA land as part of the preparatory work, after which the taxi track will be fully utilised.
