The Bihar State Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on June 17, 2025, cleared the construction of six new regional airports under the Centre’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity program.
Locations & Budget
Every airport—planned in Muzaffarpur, Munger, Valmikinagar, Saharsa, Purnia, and Begusarai—is to be provided with ₹150 crore of state funding. They are small-sized, greenfield or brownfield airstrips that are intended to cater to local people using 19–20 seat planes, linking unconnected areas of Bihar.
Existing & Previous Projects
This is a significant expansion of Bihar’s airport facilities:
•In the first half of 2025, greenfield airports were cleared centrally for Rajgir, Bhagalpur, and Raxaul, and brownfield proposals at Purnia and expansions at Darbhanga and Raxaul.
- A ₹460 crore flagship modernization is already underway at Bihta (Patna). Construction on its passenger terminal began in April 2025 and is set to finish by April 2027.
•Darbhanga Airport, which started functioning in November 2020, has witnessed huge traffic under UDAN and now consists of continuous runway expansions and new terminals proposed until 2026.
Strategic Impact
•Increases Bihar’s network from mere three major airports—Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga—to a planned 11–15 airports increasing connectivity.
•Seeks to connect remote, border, and economically backward areas like Seemanchal and North Champaran with air services .
•Deconcentrates air travel, lessening the reliance on Patna’s airport and fostering regional development.
Challenges & Skepticism
Though reception is divided—online discussion forums point out that previous announcements with similar intent floundered down the line—numerous residents approve of regional connectivity, pointing out that UDAN routes, particularly at Darbhanga, have already been a success.
What’s Next?
•Feasibility studies, land procurement, and AAI surveys for greenfield/brownfield locations.
•After the readiness of the site, the AAI will begin working on terminals, runways, security, and navigation facilities.
•Thereafter, airlines will submit applications for route rights, and UDAN tenders will be released for operators.
Why This Matters
This bold action has the potential to transform Bihar’s connectivity scene—facilitating business travel, medical evacuations, tourism, access to education, and border trade with Nepal and Jharkhand, while relieving the Patna hub.
