Patna/Raxaul: The Bihar government has released the official blueprint for the proposed Raxaul airport, marking a major step towards establishing full-fledged commercial air services from the border town. The plan confirms that the runway will be extended to 2,360 metres, making it suitable for narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
The map was shared by Nilesh Devre, principal secretary in the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, who said that the process of acquiring 139 acres of land for the airport was in its final stages. Compensation payments to affected landowners are expected to begin soon through the district administration.
At present, the Raxaul airstrip has a runway length of about 1,372 metres, which is insufficient for large commercial aircraft. Under the expansion plan, the runway will be extended by nearly 1,000 metres towards the western side. The project also includes the construction of a bridge over the Tilave River to facilitate the extension.
Once the expansion is completed, Raxaul will be capable of handling regular passenger flights, enabling direct air connectivity with major metropolitan cities. Officials believe this could significantly boost economic activity in the region, which serves as an important gateway to Nepal.
The master plan also outlines the construction of essential airport infrastructure, including a terminal building, an air traffic control (ATC) tower, an airport colony, and a cargo facility. In the longer term, there is a proposal to develop a larger and more modern terminal to accommodate future growth in passenger traffic.
The project is being developed as a brownfield airport, meaning that an existing airstrip will be upgraded rather than building an entirely new facility. For this, the Bihar government must complete land acquisition and formally hand over the land to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
However, land acquisition remains the key challenge. Although statutory notices have been issued, disputes have emerged over the compensation rates. Local farmers have argued that the amount proposed is lower than what was paid for land acquired in the same area in 2012 and 2018 under earlier government projects. They have demanded a revision of the rates, saying the current valuation does not reflect market realities.
Until this dispute is resolved, the project risks further delays. Still, the release of the airport map has strengthened expectations that Raxaul could see the start of commercial air services within the next year, provided administrative and legal hurdles are cleared in time.
The Raxaul airport is seen as a strategically important project for Bihar, both for improving regional connectivity and for enhancing trade, tourism, and cross-border movement in one of the state’s most significant transit zones.
