Patna: In a significant development, the proposed civil enclave project at Bihta airport is set to move forward with the state government’s approval for an additional 8.4 acres of land on the southern side of the planned terminal building. This decision follows a demand from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) after a thorough site inspection.
The state government has already allocated 108 acres of land for the construction of the terminal building and other supporting structures. The AAI-Patna officials underscored the necessity of the extra land to expand the terminal building and create larger aprons or parking bays capable of accommodating large-body aircraft such as Boeing 777 and 747. This expansion aims to position Bihta airport for potential international flight operations in the future.
An AAI official emphasized the strategic planning behind the infrastructure development, stating, “AAI will develop the infrastructure keeping into consideration that in the future, bigger aircraft can be operated from Bihta.”
To facilitate international flights, the existing runway of the Indian Air Force at Bihta must undergo an extension from 8,200 feet to 12,000 feet. This extension requires an additional 191 acres of land. The AAI has formally requested the state government to provide the necessary land for the runway extension towards the eastern side and the installation of approach lights.
The government has allocated Rs16.32 crore to the district administration for the acquisition of the 8.4 acres of land. Ranjan Choudhary, the land acquisition officer, assured that the process of land acquisition is underway and is expected to be completed within the next 5-6 months.
To date, the state government has acquired 126 acres of land near Bihta airbase. Out of this, 108 acres are earmarked for the development of the civil enclave, while the remaining 18 acres will be utilized for additional amenities, including a VIP lounge, a hotel, and a hangar.
This progression marks a crucial step forward in the realization of the Bihta airport civil enclave project, bringing the region closer to establishing itself as a hub for both domestic and potentially international air travel.
