Patna: IndiGo Airlines’ daily flight from New Delhi to Darbhanga was inaugurated on Thursday by Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD(U)’s acting national president, Rajya Sabha MP, and chairman of the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture. The ceremony, held at New Delhi Airport, marked a new milestone for Darbhanga Airport under the Udan scheme, which aims to improve regional connectivity.
During the event, Jha lit the ceremonial lamp, cut a cake, and flagged off the inaugural flight. He also handed the first passenger their boarding pass, underscoring the occasion’s significance. Addressing the gathering, he described the new flight as “another milestone in the development of Darbhanga Airport,” adding that it would restore public confidence in the airport as a reliable hub for air travel.
“Many airports launched under the Udan scheme have faced challenges, but Darbhanga Airport has emerged as one of the most successful,” Jha said. “It has become a crucial gateway for north Bihar and even the Terai region of Nepal.”
The JD(U) leader highlighted past issues with frequent delays and cancellations of flights by another airline operating from Darbhanga, which had caused passengers to prefer Patna Airport. He thanked the Union Civil Aviation Minister and IndiGo’s Special Director R.K. Singh for their efforts in addressing these challenges.
Jha announced that IndiGo, despite aircraft shortages, has now launched daily flights between Delhi and Darbhanga, following its earlier success with flights to Mumbai. He expressed optimism about high demand for the Delhi-Darbhanga route, urging IndiGo to consider increasing the frequency. “Direct flights from Darbhanga to Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and now Delhi are already operational. I hope flights to Bengaluru and Guwahati will soon be added to the network, providing even greater convenience for passengers from Mithila and North Bihar,” he said.
IndiGo’s Special Director, R.K. Singh, hailed the launch as a significant step in improving regional connectivity. Calling Jha his “best friend,” Singh said the route would not only facilitate passenger travel but also boost trade and tourism. “This daily flight will open up opportunities for local producers of litchi and makhana to export their goods nationally and internationally,” he added.
Jha extended his gratitude to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their vision in implementing the Udan scheme. “This initiative has made air travel accessible to small cities, driving development in remote areas. Darbhanga Airport’s success under Udan is a testament to this visionary scheme,” he remarked.
