Ravi Shankar Prasad pushed the international air connectivity to Dubai and Bangkok from Patna.

Patna, April 6, 2026: Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said that serious efforts are underway to introduce international flight services from Patna, a move aimed at accelerating Bihar’s development.

Speaking after a key meeting of the Airport Advisory committee at Jayprakash Narayan International Airport, Prasad revealed that discussions have been held with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary regarding the proposal.

“The State Government is actively considering providing financial incentives to airlines to encourage direct international flights from Patna to destinations like Kathmandu, Bangkok, and Dubai. This will spare passengers the inconvenience of travelling to Delhi or Kolkata,” he said.

Ravi Shankar Prasad’s first meeting after the new terminal:

The meeting, chaired by Prasad, was the first official gathering of the committee following the construction of the airport’s new terminal building.

It was attended by several kwy officials, including Sanjeev Chaurasia, Airport Director Chandra Pratap Dwivedi, and District Magistrate Tyagrajan SM.

Discussions focused on rising passenger traffic and the urgent need to upgrade infrastructure accordingly.

Rising passenger traffic, runway expansion planned:

Ravi Shankar Prasad noted that around 4 million passengers currently use Patna Airport annually, a number expected to rise to 10 million in the coming years.

“Runway expansion has become absolutely essential. Both the Centre and the State Government are working together on this. A special committee will soon inspect the identified land for taking a final decision,” he added.

In a significant move to promote Bihar’s cultural heritage, the MP directed authorities to create dedicated stalls at the airport for local products.

These will include Madhubani painting, handicrafts and other regional specialties.

This initiative aims to provide local artisans with wider exposure and better market access.

Commitment to modernization:

Ravi Shankar Prasad appreciated the coordination between the district administration, Patna Municipal Corporation, and airport authorities.

He emphasized that the airport expansion must be completed within a fixed timeline to address congestion and improve passenger experience.

“The Central Government is fully committed to developing Patna Airport in line with international standards,” he assured.

Also Read: Nitish Kumar inaugurates 1st phase of the Mithapur-Mahuli elevated road to ease traffic in Patna.

EOM.