Six regional airports sanctioned in Bihar under UDAN

The Bihar Cabinet approved the development of six new airports under the Centre’s UDAN initiative, allocating ₹150 crore to the project. The move intends to connect disadvantaged areas and stimulate economic growth throughout the state.

The Bihar Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has approved a significant aviation infrastructure plan, giving ₹150 crore to develop six regional airports under the Central Government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. The state government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to carry out the project to improve regional aviation connectivity and promote balanced economic development throughout Bihar.

As part of this project, six airport building or upgrade sites have been identified: Madhubani, Birpur in the Supaul district, Munger, Valmikinagar in West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, and Saharsa. Each airport would receive ₹25 crore from the state-sanctioned amount. These areas, which have long been underserved by traditional transport networks, are likely to benefit greatly from enhanced accessibility and integration into the national aviation grid.

The UDAN plan, announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, aims to increase air travel by making it more affordable and accessible to residents in tier 2 and 3 cities. Bihar’s recent initiative is consistent with this national purpose, which seeks to bridge the urban-rural divide and boost growth in tourism, trade, and local employment.

Officials anticipate that the development of these airports will relieve pressure on existing large airports in Patna and Gaya, while also creating new routes for domestic travel and regional economic activity. With work likely to begin soon after the MoU is signed, this move represents a critical step towards altering Bihar’s aviation scene.

The Cabinet’s emphasis on building regional air infrastructure reflects a broader vision of inclusive development, in which rural and interior regions of the state are integrated into the mainstream through improved connectivity and key infrastructure investments.