Patna: Work on the civil enclave at Bihta Airport is expected to commence within a month following a review meeting chaired by Patna District Magistrate Dr Chandrashekhar Singh. The meeting, held at the Collectorate auditorium, assessed the progress of various preparatory works and addressed outstanding issues related to the project.
The District Magistrate noted significant progress in preliminary works, with all relevant departments and stakeholders actively engaged in fulfilling their responsibilities. He directed officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer, Additional Collector, District Land Acquisition Officer, and Municipal Executive Officer of Bihta, to coordinate with the Civil Aviation Directorate, the Cabinet Secretariat Department, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Indian Air Force to ensure the timely execution of necessary tasks.
Land Acquisition and Infrastructure Readiness
The District Land Acquisition Officer informed the District Magistrate that the acquisition process for an additional 8.445 acres of land in Vishambarpur village has been completed, with possession handed over to the requisitioning department on March 6. Dr Singh instructed the Zonal Officer to demarcate the acquired land and oversee the transfer of structures present on the site, with supervision by the Sub-Divisional Officer of Danapur.
The district administration has already made 108 acres of land available for the project, with an additional 8 acres secured to facilitate construction. Dr Singh assured that any remaining challenges are being swiftly addressed. Officials were also instructed to oversee the relocation of a high-tension power line passing through the acquired land, with the Electrical Executive Engineer of Bihta tasked with coordinating the process alongside the General Manager of Bihta International Airport.
Key Developments and Upcoming Work
Officials from AAI confirmed that the work order for the civil enclave’s construction has been issued and that initial roadblocks have been resolved, paving the way for work to commence soon. The District Magistrate directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite road construction to connect the airport to the main road network.
Additionally, preparations for stormwater drainage within the civil enclave are underway, with the Minor Water Resources Department overseeing the development. Dr Singh also instructed the Civil Aviation Department to coordinate with relevant agencies for the construction of a parallel taxi track, with land acquisition to be carried out as needed.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer of Danapur, the General Manager of Bihta International Airport, the District Land Acquisition Officer, and other key stakeholders. Dr Singh emphasised that regular monitoring of the project’s progress will continue to ensure timely completion.
