Union Cabinet Clears ₹1,413 Crore Plan for Patna’s New Airport at Bihta IAF Base

Patna: The long-standing demand for a second civilian airport in Patna is finally being fulfilled, with the new facility set to be developed at the Bihta Indian Air Force base. The airport will feature a terminal building capable of handling up to 5 million passengers annually in its first phase, with a projected cost of ₹1,413 crore. The development is part of a broader plan to establish a civilian enclave at the military base, similar to other airports like Goa Dabolim and Ghaziabad Hindon.

In subsequent phases, the terminal’s capacity is expected to double, allowing it to accommodate up to 10 million passengers each year.

The Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) proposal for the new civil enclave at Bihta received the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday. A statement released by the Union Aviation Ministry confirmed the approval.

The existing airport in Patna has long faced constraints due to the inability to extend its runway, primarily because of limited space. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has previously cautioned airlines against fully loading larger aircraft when flying to Patna, citing safety concerns. As a result, airlines have been required to leave up to 15% of seats vacant on outbound flights from the city.

Bihta was considered the most viable option for Patna’s second airport, a need that has been repeatedly highlighted by the Bihar government. The proposal to develop the Bihta facility was first put forward by AAI in 2016, with the Indian Air Force giving its consent for commercial flight operations from the base in April of that year.

The new infrastructure at Bihta is seen as a strategic response to the anticipated capacity saturation at Patna’s existing airport. While AAI is already in the process of constructing a new terminal at the current Patna facility, further expansion is restricted due to land constraints. The proposed terminal building at Bihta will cover an area of 66,000 square meters, designed to handle 3,000 peak-hour passengers and cater to 5 million passengers annually. This capacity is expected to be expanded to 10 million passengers as demand increases.

Key features of the project include the construction of an apron capable of accommodating 10 aircraft parking bays, suitable for Airbus A-321/320 and Boeing B-737 type aircraft, along with two link taxiways to enhance the airport’s operational efficiency.