This document summarizes the current status of airport development projects in Bihar under a special package, as of August 7, 2025.
**Greenfield Airport Development:**
* **Policy Framework:** The development of new Greenfield airports (GFA) is governed by the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008. The State Government is responsible for identifying suitable sites, conducting pre-feasibility studies, and submitting proposals for 'Site Clearance' and 'In-Principle' approval to the Central Government.
* **Patna:** While no proposal for a new Greenfield Airport near Patna is currently under consideration, a new terminal building has been commissioned at the existing Patna Airport on June 3, 2025, with an expenditure of Rs. 1040.24 Crore. The development of a Civil Enclave at Bihta Airport is underway by AAI at an estimated cost of Rs. 1413 crore.
* **Sonpur, Rajgir & Sultanganj:** Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted pre-feasibility studies for Greenfield airport development at Sonpur (2019), Rajgir (2024) and Sultanganj (2025) and submitted the reports to the Government of Bihar (GoB). GoB submitted a proposal to MoCA for grant of 'Site Clearance' for proposed Greenfield Airport at Rajgir in January 2025, but it was returned by MoCA in the same month, requesting GoB to resubmit the application with the required documents.
**Existing Airport Development:**
* **Purnea Airport:** AAI is constructing an interim Terminal Building at Purnea Airport, with Rs. 18.25 Crore spent to date.
* **Gaya Airport:** Construction of a New Terminal Building and runway extension are dependent on land acquisition by the State Government. The construction of a control tower and apron expansion have been completed at a cost of Rs. 35.91 Crore.
* **Raxaul Airport:** AAI has requested an additional 139 acres of land from the State Government to facilitate operations of A320-type aircraft.
Key Entities Referenced
Bihar: A state in eastern India where airport development is being discussed.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Shri Kaushalendra Kumar: Member of Lok Sabha who asked the question regarding the development of airports in Bihar.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the question.
Greenfield Airports GFA Policy, 2008: A policy formulated by the Government of India for the development of new Greenfield airports in the country.
Airports Authority of India AAI: An organisation involved in carrying out prefeasibility studies and development of airports.
Patna Airport: An existing airport in Patna, Bihar, where a new terminal building has been constructed and commissioned.
Gaya Airport: An airport in Gaya, Bihar, where construction of a new terminal building and extension of runway are planned, and some construction has been completed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
Lok Sabha
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3129
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7th August 2025 )
DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORTS IN BIHAR UNDER SPECIAL
PACKAGE
3129. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the details and current status of airports being developed under
the Special Package for Bihar; and
(b) the details of the total funds spent so far on the development of
airports in Bihar under the said Special Package?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): The details of airports in Bihar being developed under the
Special Package for Bihar, along with the funds spent, are given
below:
(i). Construction of a Greenfield airport at Patna - Government of
India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008
for development of new Greenfield airports in the country. As per
the policy, 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.;
Airports Authority of India (AAI) carried out the Pre-feasibility study
for development of Greenfield airport at Sonpur in 2019, Rajgir in
2024 and Sultanganj in 2025. These study reports were sent by AAI
to Government of Bihar (GoB) for appropriate decision.;Subsequently, GoB submitted a proposal to MoCA for grant of 'Site
Clearance' for proposed Greenfield Airport at Rajgir in January,
2025. However, the proposal has been returned by MoCA in January,
2025, requesting GoB to submit the duly filled Site Clearance
application along with the requisite documents.;
At present, no proposal seeking site-clearance for the construction
of a Greenfield Airport at or near Patna under GFA Policy, 2008 is
pending with the GoI.
;
However, a New Terminal Building has been constructed at the
existing Patna Airport, which has been commissioned on
03.06.2025. An expenditure of Rs.1040.24 Crore has been incurred
on expansion of Patna Airport so far. Further, AAI has undertaken
the development of a Civil Enclave at Bihta Airport at an estimated
cost of Rs.1413 crore. ;
(ii). Development of Civil Enclave at Purnea Airport - AAI has
undertaken the construction of an interim Terminal Building at the
Airport. As on date, an amount of Rs.18.25 Crore has been spent.;
(iii). Development of Gaya Airport - The construction of a New
Terminal Building and extension of runway at Gaya Airport are
contingent upon handing over the requisite land by the State
Government to AAI. The construction of a control tower and
expansion of apron at Gaya Airport have been completed at a cost
of Rs.35.91 Crore.;
(iv). Development of Raxaul Airport - To facilitate operations of
A320-type aircraft at Raxaul Airport, an additional land of 139 acres
has been requested by AAI from the State Government.
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