The Bihar Cabinet has approved a landmark ₹150 crore investment to build six small airports—Madhubani, Birpur (Supaul), Munger, Valmikinagar, Muzaffarpur, and Saharsa—under the Centre’s UDAN scheme, with each site receiving ₹25 crore for essential infrastructure. This move is part of a broader push to enhance regional air connectivity, bolster tourism, and drive equitable economic development across the state.
In parallel, the Cabinet cut the VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 29% to 4%, extending a rate previously exclusive to Gaya Airport to all airports in Bihar. The measure aligns Bihar with states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi in pro‑aviation taxation and is expected to reduce ticket costs, increase flight frequency, and spur investment in civil aviation. Additional Chief Secretary S. Siddharth framed the airport initiative as essential for rural and urban inclusion, enabling smoother travel and improved access to markets. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary emphasised that fuel‑tax relief would boost tourism, improve competitiveness, and generate employment.
This announcement comes after earlier approval of pre‑feasibility studies across the same six towns, carried out by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), assessing runway length, land availability, and aircraft suitability. Those greenfield proposals were first approved in April, and have now transitioned into construction funding. Furthermore, Bihar recently inaugurated a new ₹1,200 crore terminal at Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan Airport—designed to handle 10 million passengers annually—and initiated a ₹1,410 crore civil enclave at Bihta Airport. These expansions signal a multi‑tiered aviation strategy spanning international, regional, and local access.
From a sustainable urban mobility perspective, expanding regional airports can shift travel from road to air, lowering per‑passenger carbon emissions over medium distances. When coordinated with efficient rail and electric bus services, these hubs can serve as green mobility nodes—promoting gender‑neutral, inclusive transit both within and beyond cities. However, challenges loom. Developing six new airports involves land acquisition, ecological sensitivity (especially near wildlife habitats), and ensuring equitable access for marginalised communities. Each site must include environmental safeguards—such as negligible soil disruption, renewable‑energy integration, and accessible design features—to align with Bihar’s broader vision for equitable, low‑carbon growth.
Moreover, operational viability hinges on airlines committing to regular flights, encouraged by the VAT cut. Past successes, like the growing centrality of Darbhanga Airport under UDAN, offer optimism. Equally important is integrating these new nodes with local transport—e‑rickshaws, women‑friendly last‑mile options, and affordable shuttle services—to ensure seamless mobility. In essence, Bihar is clear: build infrastructure and catalyse regional growth. The twin strategies of airport construction and fuel‑tax reform could transform travel, tourism, and equality in the state. Yet success rests on nimble execution, ecological mindfulness, and sustained airline engagement. As the first runways take shape, Bihar stands at a critical inflection: evolve into a truly connected, equitable, and sustainable aviation landscape—or risk seeing its ambitions grounded by poor integration.
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