New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the civilian airport facilities at Bihta in Bihar and at Bagdogra in West Bengal with a combined budget of ₹2,962 crore.
Information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that a new civil enclave at Bagdogra airport will cost Rs 1,549 crore, while Bihta’s project will require Rs 1,413 crore. A few more infrastructure projects, including construction of new metro rail lines, were also approved by the Union cabinet.
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Bihta airport
The long-awaited plan to develop Bihta airport a strategic move to address the anticipated saturation of capacity at Patna airport. While AAI is already in the process of constructing a new terminal building at Patna airport, further expansion is constrained by limited land availability.
The proposed new integrated terminal building at Bihta airport spans 66,000 sqm and is designed to handle 3000 peak hour passengers (PHP) and annually cater to 50 lakh passengers. This will be further expanded by another 50 lakh whenever it is required and ultimate capacity would be one crore passengers per annum.
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Key components of the project include the construction of an apron capable of accommodating 10 parking bays suitable for A-321/B-737-800/A-320 type aircraft, as well as two link taxiways
Bagdogra airport expansion
The new civil enclave at Bagdogra airport will feature a terminal building covering 70,390 square metres. This facility will accommodate 3,000 peak-hour passengers and handle up to 10 million passengers annually. An apron with 10 parking bays for A-321-type aircraft and two link taxiways will also be constructed. Multi-level car parking is part of the plan to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience.
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Growing aviation market
India currently has 157 operational airports and is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets. The development of these new civil enclaves in Bagdogra and Bihta is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to boost infrastructure and meet the increasing demand for air travel.
These projects are expected to significantly improve the operational efficiency of both airports and enhance the overall passenger experience. The strategic move to develop these new terminals aligns with India’s broader goals of expanding its aviation infrastructure to support economic growth and connectivity.
