Wings for Bihar: PM Modi Set to Unveil Patna’s New Terminal, Kickstart Bihta Airport Project

Patna: Patna is poised to take a significant leap in aviation infrastructure with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to inaugurate the new terminal building of Jayaprakash Narayan Airport on May 4, while also laying the foundation stone for civil aviation operations at the upcoming Bihta airport.

With this development, Patna will become one of the select few cities in India to be served by two airports, marking a new chapter in Bihar’s aviation and regional connectivity landscape.

While the gleaming new terminal at Patna airport promises a modern and efficient experience for travellers, Bihta — a military airbase — is set for a transformation. Civil enclave construction is scheduled to begin next month, with expectations that commercial passenger flights will take off from Bihta within two years.

Preparations for the project are nearly complete, with 116 acres already allocated for civil development. Of this, 108 acres were handed over by the district administration earlier, and an additional 8.445 acres in Vishambarpur were made available last month to facilitate the construction of a civil enclave. Officials have instructed engineers from the Minor Water Resources Department to plan a stormwater drainage system, a key requirement before major works can begin.

Plans are also underway to expand the airport’s capacity. The district administration has submitted a proposal to the Bihar government for acquiring 191 acres of land on either side of the current Bihta airstrip to lengthen the runway from 8,000 feet to 12,000 feet. This will make the airport capable of handling wide-body aircraft. Land acquisition will also cover the construction of a parallel taxiway.

The expansion of aviation infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce pressure on Patna’s existing airport, which has long grappled with overcapacity and space constraints. The newly constructed terminal at Jayaprakash Narayan Airport is set to alleviate some of that congestion, offering passengers an upgraded travel experience.

With Bihta on the horizon, the dual-airport system will enhance both domestic and potential international connectivity in the region. Officials see this as a long-awaited upgrade that reflects Bihar’s growing economic aspirations and the Centre’s renewed focus on improving transport infrastructure in eastern India.