**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 3085 raised in Lok Sabha on December 18, 2025, regarding the development of Kishanganj Airport under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN. It clarifies the status of the Kishanganj airstrip and funds allocated for airport development in Bihar under the UDAN scheme. The response indicates that revival/upgradation is undertaken only upon valid bid and award to the SAO.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Kishanganj Airstrip Status:**
* The Kishanganj airstrip is on the tentative list of unserved airports in the UDAN scheme.
* No routes connecting to the airstrip have been awarded to any airline through the first five rounds of bidding.
* The airstrip is currently not under consideration for revival under the UDAN scheme.
* **UDAN Scheme Revival/Upgradation:**
* Revival or upgrade of unserved & underserved airports is undertaken only upon identification via a valid bid and award to a Selected Airline Operator (SAO).
* **Future Bidding Considerations:**
* If an airline submits a bid for routes connecting to Kishanganj Airstrip in future bidding rounds, it will be considered as per the scheme provisions.
* **Funds for Airport Development in Bihar (Under UDAN):**
* Details of funds sanctioned and utilized for airport development in Bihar under the UDAN scheme are provided in the annexure.
* Total sanctioned funds: Rs. 317.82 Cr.
* Total Utilized funds: Rs. 170.28 Cr.
* Funds breakdown:
* Darbhanga: Sanctioned - Rs. 127.82 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 127.82 Cr
* Birpur: Sanctioned - Rs. 25.00 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 0.41 Cr
* Madhubani: Sanctioned - Rs. 25.00 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 0.41 Cr
* Muzaffarpur: Sanctioned - Rs. 25.00 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 0.41 Cr
* Saharsa: Sanctioned - Rs. 25.00 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 0.41 Cr
* Munger: Sanctioned - Rs. 25.00 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 0.41 Cr
* Valmiki Nagar: Sanctioned - Rs. 25.00 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 0.41 Cr
* Purnea: Sanctioned - Rs. 40.00 Cr, Utilized - Rs. 40.00 Cr
**Impact Analysis**
**Airlines**
* **Impact:** Airlines have the potential to influence the development of Kishanganj Airstrip by submitting bids for routes connecting to it in future rounds of bidding.
* **Action Required:** Airlines interested in operating RCS flights to Kishanganj should participate in future bidding rounds and submit proposals.
**Ministry of Civil Aviation**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for the potential upgrade of Kishanganj Airstrip under the UDAN Scheme.
* **Action Required:** To consider potential bids for routes connecting to Kishanganj Airstrip in future rounds of bidding.
**Residents of Kishanganj and surrounding areas**
* **Impact:** The development of the Kishanganj airport could be expedited, increasing connectivity and benefitting regional commerce
* **Action Required:** None
Key Entities Referenced
Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN: A scheme to enhance air connectivity to unserved and underserved airports in India.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of policies, regulations, and programs relating to the civil aviation sector.
Bihar: An eastern Indian state where the proposed airport development is focused.
Kishanganj Airport: Proposed airport in Kishanganj district. Referenced in the context of potential development under the UDAN scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3085
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
DEVELOPMENT OF KISHANGANJ AIRPORT
3085. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has proposed or approved an airport in Kishanganj district of
Bihar under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the stage of approval, land identification and timelines
for project initiation;
(c) whether any feasibility study, site inspection or technical assessment has been carried out
for establishing an airport in Kishanganj and if so, the findings thereof;
(d) the total funds sanctioned, released and utilised so far for the development of airports and
heliports in Bihar under the UDAN scheme, district-wise; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to expedite the development of an airport at
Kishanganj in view of its strategic location near the Bengal border and increasing passenger
demand and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (e): Kishanganj airstrip, Bihar is available in the tentative list of unserved airports in the
UDAN scheme document.
However, no routes connecting the Kishanganj airstrip have been awarded to any airline for
the operation of RCS flights till the completion of five rounds of bidding conducted to date.
Therefore, the airstrip is not taken for its revival under the UDAN scheme.
As per provisions of the UDAN Scheme, revival / upgradation of unserved & underserved
airports is undertaken upon its identification through valid bid and award to the SAO
(Selected Airline Operator).
In case, any airline submits a bid for routes connecting to Kishanganj Airstrip in future
rounds of bidding, the same will be considered as per the scheme provisions.
The details of total funds sanctioned and utilised so far for the development of airports in
Bihar under the UDAN scheme is attached at Annexure.
******ANNEXURE
The details of total funds sanctioned and utilised so far for the development of airports
in Bihar under the UDAN scheme (Rs. In Cr.)
S. No. Airport RCS BUDGET Total Expenditure
1. Darbhanga 127.82 127.82
2. Birpur 25.00 0.41
3. Madhubani 25.00 0.41
4. Muzaffarpur 25.00 0.41
5. Saharsa 25.00 0.41
6. Munger 25.00 0.41
7. Valmiki Nagar 25.00 0.41
8. Purnea 40.00 40.00
Total 317.82 170.28