AAI Teams Set to Evaluate Four Proposed Airport Sites in Bihar
Two specialized teams from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are scheduled to visit Bihar between April 15 and 18 to conduct comprehensive pre-feasibility studies for proposed airports at four key locations: Sabeya in Gopalganj district, Motihari in East Champaran, Chhapra in Saran, and Bhagalpur. This on-ground assessment represents a pivotal move towards bolstering regional air connectivity and establishing critical aviation infrastructure in districts that currently suffer from limited access to air services.
Strategic Initiative to Enhance Statewide Air Network
The exercise is an integral component of the Bihar government's ambitious long-term strategy to develop a statewide network of functional airports. The overarching goal is to ensure that no district remains more than 200 kilometers away from an operational airstrip, thereby improving transportation efficiency and economic opportunities across the region.
The pre-feasibility studies will meticulously examine the technical viability of each proposed site. Key aspects under scrutiny include potential passenger demand, optimal runway length and orientation, land suitability, and overall infrastructure requirements. Civil aviation department secretary Nilesh Ramchandra Deore emphasized that this preliminary step is crucial, as it culminates in a detailed report covering land needs, infrastructure development options, and architectural layouts.
Detailed Process and Existing Projects
Deore elaborated on the sequential process: "It also includes plans for land acquisition. Once this is completed, an obstacle limitation surface (OLS) survey is conducted to identify structures or natural hurdles along the runway’s approach and departure paths. Only after these stages are cleared does the project move towards the tendering process."
He highlighted that a greenfield airport is already in the pipeline at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur, with the site identified and cleared. This proposed state government-owned airport is designed to cater to 19-seater commercial aircraft. "The site is located within the town area and has an existing runway of around 1,300 metres, where small aircraft already operate," Deore noted.
Revised Plans and Financial Allocations
In a strategic shift, plans for regional airports in Munger and Madhubani have been abandoned due to feasibility challenges. In Munger, exorbitant land prices and densely populated residential areas drove estimated land acquisition costs beyond Rs 400 crore, even for small Code-2B category aircraft. Madhubani was excluded as it lies merely 30–40 kilometers from the existing Darbhanga airport.
Instead, Sabeya in Gopalganj, along with Motihari and Chhapra, are now prioritized. A pre-feasibility study for Begusarai airport has already been conducted earlier. In Gopalganj, the focus is on Sabeya, where an existing military airfield is under evaluation for potential civilian operations, possibly under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme. The state government has disbursed Rs 81 lakh to AAI for pre-feasibility studies of Sabeya and Ulao airport in Begusarai. The Sabeya airstrip, measuring approximately 1,800–1,900 metres, holds promise for future expansion into a larger airport.
For Motihari and Chhapra, the visiting AAI teams will assess opportunities to upgrade existing airstrips to enhance air links in north and central Bihar. The government has allocated an additional Rs 1 crore for the combined studies of these two locations. Chhapra features an airstrip of around 1,100 metres, while Motihari also boasts an operational strip.
Ongoing Aviation Projects and Future Prospects
Concurrently, several aviation projects in Bihar have advanced to the tender stage. AAI has issued significant tenders for the upgradation of Muzaffarpur airport to accommodate Code-2B aircraft, including a Rs 43.13-crore tender for runway and airside works and a prior Rs 28.58-crore tender for terminal, ATC tower, and related facilities.
Tenders have also been floated for Valmikinagar airport in West Champaran, with work progressing at Birpur. Furthermore, greenfield airports are planned at Bhagalpur and Sonepur, alongside a major new airport proposed at Raxaul, underscoring the state's commitment to expanding its aviation footprint.
