The Bihar government has taken a major step to improve air travel in the state. In a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the government gave administrative approval for the construction of two major airports in North Bihar. A budget of ₹500 crore has been passed for the Valmikinagar airport in West Champaran. Additionally, the Raxaul airport in East Champaran has received approval for approximately ₹1,200 crore to become an international aviation hub.
What are the details of the new airport projects?
The Civil Aviation Department has shared specific details about the land and infrastructure for these projects. The Valmikinagar airport will be developed on 303 acres of land. Officials stated that 73 acres are already available, while the process to acquire the remaining 229 acres is in the final stages. For Raxaul, the plan is even bigger as it is situated close to the Nepal border.
The Raxaul airport will feature a runway length of 2,360 meters. This large runway will allow narrow-body aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 to land easily. The state cabinet cleared these proposals as part of a larger initiative to expand connectivity. The authorities have already completed land marking on a priority basis to ensure no delays occur.
When will the construction work begin?
According to Dr. Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, the Secretary of the Civil Aviation Department, the tender process for construction is set to begin very shortly. The soil testing and site inspections by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are currently moving at a fast pace. Once the technical formalities are done at the Additional Collector level, the actual work on the ground will start.
These airports are expected to boost the economy of the region significantly. The Valmikinagar airport will be a milestone for the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), attracting both domestic and international tourists directly to the spot. This development will create thousands of jobs for local youth and help the hotel industry. Locals will no longer need to travel long distances to Patna or Gorakhpur to catch a flight.
