Nitish Kumar will inspect the proposed site of Purnea Airport.
Patna, August 24: After Bihta, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to inspect the site of the new airport being constructed in Purnea on Saturday.
The central government has already given Rs 432 crore in the budget for the Purnea airport, with the necessary land for the project already acquired, removing major obstacles for the construction to commence.
With the construction of Purnea airport, the people of Araria, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Khagaria, Bhagalpur and Sahebganj district of Jharkhand will get its benefit.
The development of Purnea airport is a part of the Udan scheme, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. Despite the announcement, the project has faced delays, with no significant progress over the past nine years.
Once completed, it will become the fifth airport in Bihar after Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya and Bihta. Patna Darbhanga and Gaya are already operational for civil aviation.
Purnia’s Chunapur Airport, initially built as an Air Force base during the India-China war, is set to be developed as a civil airport. The central government had previously decided to repurpose it for civilian use, requesting the Bihar government to provide the necessary land. The project was stalled due to land acquisition issues, but these have now been resolved, paving the way for the airport construction.
Also Read: Narendra Modi government approved the airport in Bihta.
In July this year, a meeting of the local administration was held with the officials of the Airport Authority of India to discuss a long-term development plan for Purnea Airport aiming to cater to the region’s needs for the next 30 to 40 years. The proposed airport will feature five aero bridges, an apron, a terminal building, a cargo complex, an AC chiller plant, STP, water and fire tanks and other facilities, designed to accommodate future growth.
Nitish Kumar earlier visited Bihta Airport five days ago.
EOM.