Patna's second airport at Bihta promises to boost aviation connectivity by 2027
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Patna: Cramped, congested and constrained, Patna's existing airport has long struggled under the weight of growing passenger traffic and operational bottlenecks. But relief may soon be on the horizon.
With the proposed construction of a civil enclave at the Bihta airbase, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is preparing to usher in a new era of aviation for Bihar, one that could finally see large-bodied aircraft like the Boeing 777 and 747 touching down with ease.
Touted as Patna's second airport, Bihta is being developed not only to ease pressure on the beleaguered Jayprakash Narayan International Airport but also to position Bihar on the map of long-haul international connectivity.
The AAI has formally proposed the acquisition of 191 acres of additional land to extend Bihta's existing 8,200-foot (2,499-metre) runway to 12,000 feet (3,657 metres), a crucial step in enabling the movement of wide-bodied jets. Patna DM Thiyagarajan S M said the land acquisition process was currently underway.
The airport's civil enclave is expected to be operational by March 31, 2027, with an ambitious design to accommodate 3,000 passengers during peak hours and up to 5 million annually.
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On Feb 15, the AAI awarded a Rs 459-crore contract to an India-Russian joint venture for the construction of the terminal building. Of this, Rs 438 crore has been earmarked for the terminal itself, a three-storey structure comprising a basement, ground floor and first floor, while the remaining Rs 21 crore will be utilised for operations and maintenance.
The total estimated project value stands at Rs 1,413 crore, encompassing everything from the terminal building and utility complex to a taxiway, apron, multi-level car parking, a link road and even a residential colony.
In sharp contrast to the operational nightmares of Patna's current airport, hemmed in by Patna zoo on one side and railway traction lines on the other, Bihta offers what aviation professionals describe as a much cleaner slate.
"Though the runway at Bihta is shorter for now, it doesn't face any of the challenges we have in Patna," said S D Sharma, general manager of Bihta airport. "Pilots at Patna struggle because from the east, tall trees in the zoo obstruct visibility, and from the west, there are high-tension wires near the railway line.
They simply cannot use the entire airstrip," he added.
"Here at Bihta, even without the additional land for extension, we can utilise the entire existing runway. All the difficulties faced at Patna can be managed here without any issues. The extension is only needed to accommodate even larger aircraft," Sharma added.
Work on the terminal has already begun with foundation digging and soil testing currently underway.
"The goal is to finish almost the entire project by March 2027. We are also finalising bids for other critical infrastructure like the apron, taxiway, residential areas, and multi-level car park. All construction will proceed in parallel to meet the deadline," Sharma said.
The foundation stone for the new terminal was laid by PM Narendra Modi on May 29, alongside the inauguration of the new terminal building at Patna's existing airport.
Designed to marry contemporary architecture with cultural motifs, the 68,000 sqm terminal will have 64 check-in counters, five passenger boarding bridges and 10 boarding gates. There will be six baggage belts in the arrivals section. The façade pays tribute to India's Buddhist heritage with a modern reinterpretation of the Sanchi Stupa, using sleek glass panels and curved structural supports.
Inside, passengers can expect VIP lounges, shopping and dining spaces, and energy-efficient features aiming for five-star GRIHA certification.
Advanced security systems, including inline baggage screening, will also be in place.
The apron will provide 10 parking bays for Code C aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, both capable of seating more than 200 passengers. A 600-metre taxiway will link the apron with the runway, ensuring smooth ground operations.
The civil enclave will share Air Traffic Control (ATC) and fire services infrastructure with the Indian Air Force, which currently operates from the Bihta base.
"Bihta has been on the AAI's radar since 2009 as the most feasible site for Patna's second airport," Sharma said. Located about 35km from the city, Bihta's relative remoteness turns out to be an advantage, offering the kind of unencumbered space and scalability that Patna's urban sprawl simply cannot afford.
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