Patna signs MoU with AAI for six new regional airports under UDAN scheme
Patna: Bihar’s regional air connectivity is set for a major upgrade as the state government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to develop six new airports across Madhubani, Birpur (Supaul), Munger, Valmikinagar, Muzaffarpur and Saharsa. Part of the Centre’s UDAN scheme, this initiative marks a strategic step towards enhancing transport infrastructure, unlocking regional access, and stimulating economic activity in underserved districts.
The MoU was signed on Monday at Bihar Niwas in New Delhi in the presence of Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena, Resident Commissioner Kundan Kumar, and Special Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat and Director of Civil Aviation, Nilesh Ramchandra Deore. The plan, already approved by the state cabinet under CM Nitish Kumar’s leadership, earmarks an initial allocation of ₹150 crore—₹25 crore for each site in the first phase—for creating civil enclaves and necessary operational infrastructure. “This MoU is a major step towards enhancing regional connectivity in Bihar. It will not only boost the state’s transport network but also unlock new opportunities for development and investment,” said Chief Secretary Meena during the ceremony. Echoing the sentiment, Resident Commissioner Kumar added, “This agreement will elevate regional air services in Bihar and accelerate the synergy between the Centre and the state.”
The airports will accommodate 19-seater aircraft, enabling better access to remote areas currently underserved by aviation infrastructure. According to officials, these small-scale regional facilities will support tourism, improve emergency access, stimulate local business ecosystems and create new employment opportunities in aviation-related services. The move is closely aligned with the Centre’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to democratize air travel by connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities to the national aviation grid. Under this broader national objective, the government plans to operationalize 50 new airports in the next five years and build over 350 by 2047.
Officials stressed that improved regional air connectivity will be pivotal for Bihar, especially in districts where road and rail access dominate. Infrastructure creation under this MoU will include runways, passenger handling zones, parking bays, ATC facilities and security mechanisms to support scheduled air operations. Once operational, these six airports are expected to catalyze regional development, particularly in eastern Bihar and flood-prone regions that often suffer from logistical isolation. “These airports are more than transport hubs—they’re development accelerators,” said a senior civil aviation official, adding that even smaller airports can have an outsized impact on trade, healthcare access and mobility.
With land identified and sanctioned funds in place, the next steps will involve detailed project reports, site inspections and phased civil construction, to be undertaken jointly by the state civil aviation department and AAI. The government is also exploring viability gap funding to attract airline operators under the UDAN bidding process.
If executed within timeline, the new airports could be operational within the next two to three years, significantly narrowing the connectivity gap between rural Bihar and the rest of India.
