Patna: The process for constructing the terminal building at Bihta Airport has officially commenced with the issuance of a tender from the corporate headquarters in Delhi. The new G-plus two terminal building will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹655.85 crore, with ₹613.76 crore allocated for construction and ₹52.09 crore for repairs and other expenses.
The project is expected to be completed within two years. The submission of tenders will begin today, October 16, with the last date for submission set for November 5. The tenders will be opened on December 5 at the corporate headquarters in Delhi. Upon completion, the new terminal building will increase Bihta Airport’s capacity to handle one crore passengers annually.
The construction will include various infrastructure components such as a terminal building, utility buildings, elevated roads, airport systems, IT systems, and a security system. The project will be executed through the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model. The airport’s runway will be expanded to 12,000 feet, enabling it to accommodate international flights.
In September, the Central Government approved ₹1,413 crore for Bihta Airport, clearing the way for the terminal building’s construction. The project, initially announced in 2014, was expected to be operational by 2018. Currently, flights operate from airports in Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga, while Purnia and Bhagalpur airports are under development.
The Bihar government has provided 108 acres of land for the project, which has already been walled at a cost of ₹8 crore. Additionally, the government has sanctioned ₹16.32 crore to acquire 8.44 more acres for aircraft and city-side parking. The process of acquiring 191.8 acres of land to extend the runway is also underway.
Once the runway reaches 12,000 feet, the airport will be capable of handling large international aircraft such as the Airbus 120 and Boeing 737. This expansion will also allow flight operations even in low visibility conditions, requiring only 350 meters of visibility, compared to the 1,000 meters currently required at Patna Airport.
The expansion of Bihta Airport is expected to boost connectivity for residents of districts like Buxar, Bhojpur, Chapra, Nalanda, and Patna. It is also expected to spur economic growth, with increased employment opportunities, business investments, and further development along the Patna-Bihta corridor. The project will help alleviate pressure on Patna Airport, further enhancing Bihar’s aviation infrastructure.
The runway expansion requires acquiring 190.50 acres of land, with the district administration already initiating the process. However, challenges remain, as one village lies to the east of the proposed runway, and three villages and a national highway are located to the west. The administration is carefully considering these factors in the land acquisition process.
The tender issuance marks a significant step forward in the long-awaited Bihta Airport project, which promises to transform the region’s connectivity and economic landscape.
