Patna: The clatter of helicopter blades over Patna has finally stilled. Campaigning for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections ended at 5pm on Sunday, bringing to a close nearly four weeks of intense aerial activity as political parties battled for visibility and reach.
For the past 24 days, helicopters carrying party heavyweights had been a constant presence in Bihar’s skies. What was once the thrum of Patna Airport filled with take-offs and landings of political choppers has now returned to the usual rhythm of commercial flights.
According to data, parties in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Grand Alliance collectively spent more than Rs 72 crore on helicopter operations during their campaign push. The aerial surge began around October 10, gathering momentum after October 16, as candidates scrambled to cover every corner of the state before the polls.
On average, 25 helicopters flew daily from Patna Airport, according to Global Flight Aviation Services, which handles ground operations for choppers. The airport recorded more than 600 helicopter flights and nearly 100 chartered planes during the campaign period — amounting to over 1,200 helicopter movements, including take-offs and landings, alongside 80 chartered aircraft movements.
Each helicopter reportedly cost around Rs 12 lakh per day, including GST, with average flight times of four to five hours daily. Combined, these sorties translated into over 3,000 hours in the air — a striking measure of both the intensity and expense of Bihar’s modern electioneering.
The extensive use of helicopters highlighted not only the financial muscle and logistical planning of political parties but also the shifting nature of Bihar’s politics — from ground-level rallies to an aerial race for attention.
