Saharsa: The Bihar government has approved the acquisition of 12.08 acres of land to expand the runway at Saharsa Airport, following inspections by various official teams. The compensation for the additional land has been estimated at Rs 147.76 crore. An obstacle limitation surface (OLS) survey for the airport was completed last month, and a social survey team from Patna is expected to visit soon. With these clearances in place, groundwork for the airport expansion can now commence, raising expectations that flights could begin as early as next year.
Plans indicate that 19-seater aircraft will operate from Saharsa, offering an alternative to road and rail travel. Officials argue that air connectivity will reduce travel time, facilitate emergency transport for patients, and generate local employment.
However, residents remain frustrated. While nearby airports in Darbhanga and Purnia, each roughly 100 kilometres away, have begun operating regular flights, Saharsa’s airport continues to languish. Land acquisition has stalled, partly due to recent assembly elections, leaving locals to imagine the benefits of air travel rather than experience them.
The airport, situated between administrative offices and residential quarters for senior officials, has been largely neglected. It has become a space for morning walks, driving lessons, and even cattle grazing. During high-profile visits by ministers or the prime minister, the runway is temporarily cleared and repaired, only to fall back into disuse afterwards. The community, including residents from nearby Nepal, continues to await meaningful air connectivity that could transform transport in the Kosi division.
