Patna: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has moved ahead with a significant phase of the new civil enclave project at Bihta Airport on the western outskirts of Patna, by issuing a tender for crucial airside infrastructure works.
The tender calls for the construction of an aircraft apron capable of accommodating up to 10 narrow-body jets, including Airbus A321, Boeing 737-800, and A320 aircraft. The project will also involve building two link taxiways and installing associated electrical systems. The estimated cost of this portion of the project has been pegged at Rs 74.81 crore, excluding GST, with a completion timeline of 15 months, factoring in a three-month monsoon period.
These apron and taxiway works are central to ensuring efficient ground operations for the planned terminal at Bihta, enabling aircraft parking, movement, and preparation for departure.
The initiative is part of the broader development of Bihta’s new civil enclave, the foundation stone for which was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, 2024. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) subsequently cleared the full-scale project on August 16, 2024, with an estimated budget of Rs 1,413 crore.
Key elements of the new civil enclave include a state-of-the-art integrated terminal building spanning 66,000 square metres. The terminal is designed to manage around 3,000 passengers during peak hours and handle an annual passenger traffic of up to 5 million.
The apron under development will be essential for Bihta Airport’s operational capacity, ensuring sufficient space for aircraft parking and facilitating swift rotation between arrivals and departures. The addition of two link taxiways is expected to boost efficiency, streamlining the movement of aircraft between the apron and the main runway and reducing turnaround times.
