Parliament Question: Construction of new airports in the States of Jharkhand and Bihar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 980 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th February 2026 CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AIRPORTS IN THE STATES OF JHARKHAND AND BIHAR 980. SHRI KHIRU MAHTO Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government is planning to build new airports in the States of Jharkhand and Bihar; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether Government has set any timeline in this regard; and (d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (d): Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 according to which, if any airport developer including the State Government desires to develop an airport, they are required to identify a suitable site and get the Pre-feasibility Study conducted for construction of airport and submit a proposal to the Central Government for 'Site Clearance' followed by 'In-Principle' approval. No proposal seeking 'Site Clearance' under GFA Policy for development of a Greenfield Airport in Jharkhand has been received. Government of Bihar (GoB) in January, 2025 had submitted a proposal seeking 'Site Clearance' for establishment of a Greenfield Airport at Rajgir. The proposal was returned with certain observations requesting GoB to submit duly filled application along with requisite documents. Subsequently, in November, 2025, GoB has submitted proposal seeking 'Site Clearance' for development of Greenfield airport at Sonpur. The proposal is under consideration in consultation with the stakeholders, as per GFA Policy, 2008. The timeline for completion of the airport projects depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure etc. ******