Darbhanga airport runway to be extended to 12,000 feet as MP seeks international statusPatna: A demand to grant international status to Darbhanga airport was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, with Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha urging the Union government to speed up the upgrade. He said the airport has become one of the most successful facilities under India’s regional connectivity scheme and now requires expanded infrastructure to meet growing passenger traffic.
Speaking during the budget session of parliament, Jha noted that nearly three million passengers have used the airport over the past five years. He argued that this steady rise in footfall justifies international operations and wider connectivity for the Mithila and north Bihar regions, which currently depend on limited air links.
The proposed development includes extending the runway to 12,000 feet to accommodate wide-body aircraft and long-haul flights. Around 90 acres of additional land will be acquired for the expansion. According to the Airports Authority of India, the extra space is necessary to meet international aviation standards and enable larger aircraft operations.
Jha informed the House that the Bihar government had already submitted proposals to the ministry of civil aviation in September 2024 and December 2025, seeking clearance for runway expansion and international services. However, the airport remains under the control of the Indian Army, meaning coordination with central authorities will be required before major construction can proceed.
He said the upgrade would significantly improve connectivity not only for Darbhanga but for the wider Mithila region, north Bihar and neighbouring Nepal. The MP added that agricultural products, including makhana (fox nuts), could be exported more efficiently through air cargo if international facilities are introduced.
In its recent budget, the Bihar government committed funds for runway expansion and the construction of a civil enclave. It also announced plans for a logistics park and dedicated cargo hub near the airport, aimed at strengthening the transport of farm produce and other goods and supporting regional economic growth.
