Patna: The runway at Bihta Airport is set to be expanded by an additional 4,000 feet, requiring the acquisition of 190.50 acres of land. The current runway, which is 8,000 feet long, will be extended to 12,000 feet to accommodate larger aircraft, including Airbus 120 and Boeing 737, enabling international flights to operate under all weather conditions.
The expansion will require 400 meters of land in length and 1,500 meters in width. The district administration has already initiated the land acquisition process, with thorough inspections underway. To the east of the proposed runway lies Sharfuddin village, while three villages—Korhar, Gokhulpur, and Mathiya—along with the Bihta-Maner National Highway (NH), are situated to the west. The administration is carefully considering all aspects related to land acquisition, including the potential need to relocate these villages.
On Thursday, District Magistrate (DM) Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra conducted a detailed inspection of the land required for the expansion. They visited both the eastern and western sides of the airport land, engaging with local representatives and the public. A district-level team has been instructed to inspect the site and submit a report within a week, which will guide the administration in determining how much land is to be acquired from each end of the airport.
“Efforts are underway to ensure the smooth acquisition of the necessary land while minimizing disruption to the local population,” said DM Chandrashekhar Singh. A team of officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Danapur, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and the Circle Officer (CO) of Bihta, was present during the inspection.
Sharfuddin village, located to the east of the proposed runway, presents some challenges due to its infrastructure. The village has 90 permanent (pukka) houses, 40 temporary (kutcha) houses, and other structures, including a gas pipeline that runs through the area. On the western side, where Korhar, Gokhulpur, and Mathiya villages are located, more than 200 permanent houses will be affected. The Bihta-Maner National Highway also passes through this area and may need to be relocated to accommodate the runway extension.
The administration is exploring alternative routes for the highway, and discussions with local communities are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
Alongside the runway extension, plans for Bihta Airport’s terminal building are progressing. According to DM Chandrashekhar Singh, 108 acres of land have already been secured for the airport, with an additional 8 acres being made available. The construction of the terminal building is expected to start on schedule, with the tender process already underway. “The land acquisition for the runway expansion will not hinder the terminal’s construction, as both processes will continue simultaneously,” Singh stated.
With a budget of Rs 1,413 crore approved for Bihta Airport, the project is expected to be completed by 2027, making it the second airport in Patna and one of five airports in Bihar. Alongside Patna, Darbhanga, and Gaya, Purnea will also have a civil enclave at the Indian Air Force (IAF) airport, boosting air connectivity across the state.
Once completed, Bihta International Airport, located 30 kilometers from Patna, will reduce traffic congestion at Patna Airport and serve as a crucial hub for travelers from Rohtas, Buxar, Bhojpur, Chhapra, and Nalanda, enhancing overall connectivity in the region.
