Union cabinet approves ₹2,962 Crore for airport projects in West Bengal and Bihar
In a continued push for infrastructure development, the Union Cabinet has approved airport projects at Bagdogra in West Bengal and Bihta in Bihar, with a combined estimated cost of ₹2,962 crore.
During a briefing in the national capital, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval for the development of a new civil enclave at Bagdogra Airport. It will be developed at a cost of ₹1,549 crore. A similar project will be undertaken at Bihta Airport for ₹1,413 crore.These decisions were made by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The new civil enclave at Bagdogra Airport will feature a terminal building spanning 70,390 square meters, designed to accommodate 3,000 peak-hour passengers with an annual capacity to handle 10 million passengers. The project will also include the construction of an apron with 10 parking bays suitable for A-321 type aircraft, two link taxiways, and multi-level car parking.
This development is expected to significantly enhance the airport’s operational efficiency and passenger experience, strengthening its role as a key air travel hub in the region. At Bihta, the new civil enclave will be developed with a terminal building covering 66,000 square meters, capable of handling 3,000 peak-hour passengers and 5 million passengers annually.
The infrastructure will be designed to expand further, potentially increasing its capacity to accommodate 10 million passengers per year. The project will also feature an apron with 10 parking bays for A-321, B-737-800, and A-320 aircraft, as well as two connecting taxiways.
This project is particularly strategic, addressing the anticipated saturation of capacity at Patna Airport, where further expansion is constrained by limited land availability. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is already constructing a new terminal building at Patna Airport, but the development at Bihta will provide essential additional capacity.
India currently has 157 operational airports, reflecting its status as one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets.
