Bihar Minister Questions Sky-High Darbhanga Flight Fares, Urges AAI Action

PATNA—Sanjay Kumar Jha, the Water Resources Minister in the Bihar Government, has questioned the high airfares for flights connecting Darbhanga to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The minister urged the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to reevaluate the fares, particularly during festival days, and impose a maximum limit.

Disparity in Fares

Minister Jha highlighted the fare disparity, stating that a flight from Darbhanga to Delhi on the day following Dussehra, October 25, costs approximately Rs 15,000. In contrast, a similar journey from Patna to Delhi costs around Rs 6,000.

मिथिला के लोगों के लिए इतना महंगा हवाई किराया आखिर कब तक!#दशहरा के अगले दिन यानी 25 अक्टूबर 2023 को यदि कोई व्यक्ति हवाई मार्ग से दरभंगा से दिल्ली जाना चाहे तो उसे करीब 15 हजार रुपये, जबकि पटना से दिल्ली जाने पर करीब छह हजार रुपये किराया देना होगा!

यह स्थिति तब है, जबकि उड़ान… pic.twitter.com/72RQ4GVwK9

— Sanjay Kumar Jha (@SanjayJhaBihar) October 23, 2023

Tax Exemptions Not Reflected

Jha took to social media to point out that the Bihar Government levies a mere 1% tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) for incoming flights to Darbhanga, an exemption that doesn’t extend to Patna Airport. “In such a scenario, the fare from Darbhanga to Delhi should be considerably lower than that from Patna,” wrote the minister.

Staggering Real-world Fares

Further illustrating the issue, Jha shared an anecdote: “Today I am in Darbhanga. A friend told me that the fare for a flight from Delhi to Darbhanga on October 22 was more than Rs 29,000!”

Calls for AAI Intervention

The minister requested the Airport Authority of India to reconsider these fares and establish a maximum limit, especially during festival periods when demand surges, to make air travel more affordable for the common people.