Patna Airport Expansion Long-Term Traffic Management Plans Discussed Ahead of New Terminal Opening
Patna’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport is set to expand significantly, with the new terminal building scheduled to open in April 2025. As the construction nears completion, Patna’s District Magistrate (DM), Chandrashekhar Singh, conducted a thorough inspection and held discussions with senior officials on long-term traffic management plans to accommodate the anticipated increase in passengers and airport operations.
Currently, the airport can handle five aircraft at a time, but the new terminal and additional facilities will allow it to accommodate up to 11 aircraft simultaneously. This is a major upgrade for the airport, which will also feature a parallel taxi track to ease aircraft movement. With the expected doubling of flight frequencies, airport officials anticipate a significant increase in passenger numbers. However, this growth could put additional pressure on local traffic, particularly on Peer Ali Path, a key road in the area. Singh highlighted the potential congestion risks, especially with the new terminal’s two-level arrival and departure routes, which will converge near Peer Ali Path. This could create traffic bottlenecks, impacting passengers and local commuters. “The increase in flight frequency will double passenger numbers, which will add more pressure on Peer Ali Path,” Singh explained during the meeting.
In response, immediate measures have been proposed to manage the anticipated surge in traffic. These include conducting a study on potential solutions such as providing a U-turn in front of the Veterinary College Ground and another U-turn near the new entry gate and state hangar. Traffic SP Aprajit Lohan was directed to take action to ensure these plans are swiftly implemented. Looking to the future, a more comprehensive plan is being developed. The road construction department has been tasked with designing long-term solutions to prevent traffic congestion in the area. The immediate plans include widening and beautifying the three main roads around the airport—Peer Ali Path, the road to Rajabazar, and the road leading to BSAP. Additionally, the construction of slip roads at three exit points from the terminal has been proposed to streamline traffic flow.
As a long-term solution, the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDC) has suggested constructing a flyover or an underpass to provide dedicated entry and exit points for the new terminal. A detailed study of these proposals is set to be conducted to determine the most efficient solution to manage traffic congestion. This development at Patna Airport is expected to enhance connectivity and support Bihar’s growing aviation needs, but local residents and commuters will need to adjust to the inevitable changes in traffic patterns. For now, the emphasis is on completing short-term measures to avoid immediate disruptions.
While these plans are crucial for the future of Patna’s transport infrastructure, the implementation of both short-term and long-term traffic management strategies will be essential in ensuring smooth operations around the airport. The officials are working diligently to address these challenges in a way that will allow the new terminal to meet its full potential without compromising on the daily convenience of local commuters. Patna’s airport expansion reflects the city’s growing importance as an aviation hub, but it also highlights the challenges of managing urban growth and infrastructure development in rapidly expanding regions. The combination of expanded airport facilities and robust traffic management plans will ultimately determine how well the city can handle the surge in traffic over the coming years.
