Patna to have second airport at Bihta

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar holds a meeting with Airport Authority of India (AAI) chairman V P Agrawal when the later called on him in Patna on Agust 27, 2009.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) chairman V P Agrawal met Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar and discussed issues pertaining to development of Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Raxaul and Jogbani airports

"We discussed with the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the development of our five airports in Bihar including an alternative option of having another airport in Patna near Bihta," Agrawal said.

He said that AAI was working out on other option with regard to the development of Patna airport near Bihta which belonged to the air force. Bihta airfield has a runway of 8200 feet which can be increased to 9000 feet easily making international flight operations smooth.

“We will talk with the defence authorities in this regard and seek clearance from them for handing over the airfield to us (AAI) and I don't think that there will be any difficulty for defence in giving the land," he said.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui