Bhagalpur: The Bihar government has approved the construction of a Greenfield Airport in Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, with a budget of over Rs 472 crore. The approval was announced during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The new airport will be built on approximately 931 acres of land and is expected to improve air connectivity in the eastern part of the state. This move is seen as a major step in expanding Bihar’s aviation infrastructure.
The new airport will be the first Greenfield facility in Bhagalpur. Bihar currently has operational airports in Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Purnia. The construction of the Sultanganj airport is expected to reduce pressure on these airports and provide faster travel options for people in and around Bhagalpur. Officials said the project will also promote tourism and business activities in the region, creating new opportunities for growth and employment.
In addition to Bhagalpur, the cabinet approved Rs 147.76 crore for the acquisition of land to expand the runway at Saharsa airport. A separate amount of over Rs 5.8 crore has been sanctioned for a feasibility study of airports in Motihari, Chhapra and Bhagalpur, which will be conducted by the Airports Authority of India. These steps are expected to accelerate the construction and improvement of smaller airports across Bihar, ensuring better air connectivity for more districts.
The cabinet also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aero Club of India to develop aviation training and aerosports in Bihar. This includes the establishment of training institutes, leasing of training aircraft, and development of aviation infrastructure. The initiative aims to make Bihar a hub for aviation education and aerosports, offering new skill-building opportunities for young people.
The cabinet meeting also approved 129 other proposals, including a 3% increase in dearness allowance for government employees, higher honorariums for ANM workers, and a doubling of scholarships. However, the Bhagalpur Greenfield Airport remains one of the most significant decisions, reflecting Bihar’s focus on modern infrastructure and regional development.
