Patna: The Bihar government has stepped up efforts to protect the land of 21 old and non-operational airports, with the possibility of future flight operations or expansion in mind.
The Civil Aviation Department has written to the district magistrates of 21 districts, including Muzaffarpur, directing them to take necessary steps to remove encroachments and secure the relevant revenue records.
Government Orders Action To Protect Airport Land
According to the letter issued by the Civil Aviation Department secretary, a recent review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister discussed the assets of airports across the state.
Following the meeting, a decision was taken to ensure that land belonging to the old airports is completely free from encroachment.
Where airport land is available, district authorities have been asked to conduct measurement and demarcation and remove encroachments.
The authorities have also been directed to review and preserve revenue records so that the land remains available if flight operations are restarted or the airports need to be expanded in the future.
The move is also intended to prevent future disputes or unauthorised claims over airport land.
21 Districts With Old Airports
The government initiative covers old airports in Muzaffarpur, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Supaul, Rohtas, Saran, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Munger, Saharsa, West Champaran, Kaimur, Nalanda, Buxar, Bhojpur, Jehanabad, East Champaran, Katihar, Gopalganj and Araria, among other districts, taking the total to 21.
Several Airports More Than Five Decades Old
Many of these airports are more than five decades old. Since they have remained unused for long periods, runways at several locations are reportedly in poor condition, while old airport-related structures have also deteriorated.
At some locations, boundary walls are in poor condition, while encroachment on airport land remains an issue.
Flight Preparations Underway In Muzaffarpur And Bhagalpur
Preparations for restarting flight services are already underway in Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur.
At Muzaffarpur’s Patahi Airport, preparations are being made to start small-aircraft services. Work includes runway repairs as well as the development of a parking bay, taxiway and office-related infrastructure.
Patahi Airport had earlier faced encroachment issues. After the removal process, work is underway to construct a boundary wall around the airport land.
The government is now seeking to extend similar measures to other districts by protecting available airport land and accelerating the process of removing encroachments.
