Muzaffarpur: The survey for the expansion of Patahi Airport has been completed, revealing that 473.10 acres of land are available for the project—just shy of the 475 acres initially requisitioned. The expansion will extend the runway to 2,345 meters in length and 45 meters in width, enabling the airport to accommodate larger aircraft.
Despite some opposition, the joint survey conducted by revenue officials and Circle Officers from Madwan, Mushahari, and Kudhni has been submitted to the district administration. According to the report, the land available is slightly less than requested, but the expansion remains feasible.
Master Plan Submitted
The survey report was submitted alongside a master plan, detailing the proposed runway expansion and infrastructure upgrades, including a new terminal building, fire station, cargo facility, service buildings, and access roads. Currently, the runway is only 1,200 meters long, which limits operations to smaller planes. The expansion is crucial to support larger aircraft and improve connectivity.
Land Acquisition Process
The report will now be forwarded to the Directorate of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India, which oversees Patahi Airport. It will also be shared with the District Land Acquisition Office to estimate the cost of acquiring the required land. Once this estimate is prepared and approved, the land acquisition process is expected to begin soon. Patahi Airport currently sits on about 101.6 acres, and this expansion has been delayed for nearly eight years due to various issues.
Local Protests and Opposition
Recently, the news of the airport’s expansion sparked protests, with some locals even attempting self-immolation at the Collectorate. They expressed concerns over the potential demolition of more than 500 homes and shops if the land is acquired. Protesters are calling for the airport to be relocated rather than expanded at its current site.
Land Details for Acquisition
The land identified for acquisition spans multiple villages:
– Nawada (Madwan Zone): 147.03 acres
– Pakahi Khas (Madwan Zone): 164.61 acres
– Bahora (Madwan Zone): 90.96 acres
– Shubhankarpur (Madwan Zone): 57.50 acres
– Mathurapur (Mushahari Zone): 13.00 acres
Total: 473.10 acres
With the survey now complete, the project is expected to proceed at a faster pace, providing much-needed improvements to the region’s air travel infrastructure.
