By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday inspected the under-construction terminal of Patna’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport (Patna Airport) , issuing strict directives to officials to expedite the completion of the pending works. During the visit, the Chief Minister gathered detailed information about the airport’s expansion and provided essential guidelines.
While inspecting, the Chief Minister thoroughly reviewed the progress of all works related to the airport’s expansion. He engaged in detailed discussions with airport officials and received a comprehensive presentation on the master plan. This presentation outlined various designs, plans, and modern facilities aimed at transforming the existing airport infrastructure into a state-of-the-art facility.
In the subsequent review meeting, Nitish Kumar emphasised the urgency of completing the airport’s expansion, highlighting the need for improved services for passengers. He instructed officials to closely monitor each phase of the project and assured them that the state government would extend any required support.
The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of improving the drainage system within the airport premises. Additionally, he directed the officials to enhance connectivity between the airport and various parts of the city, ensuring passengers can reach the airport with minimal travel time.
Kumar remarked that the expansion of Patna Airport would benefit not just the city but the entire state of Bihar. The development will not only improve air traffic but also boost the airport’s capacity in the coming years, contributing to the state’s economic and social advancement.
The inspection was attended by both Deputy Chief Ministers, Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Chaudhary, as well as key officials including Ministers Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Nitin Nabin, and the Chief Secretary. The Central Government is investing over ₹1,200 crore in the airport’s expansion.
The Chief Minister spent around one hour at the airport, reiterating his instructions for swift completion. The expansion, which began in 2018, remains incomplete after six years. While earlier delays were attributed to a lack of funds, the Central Government has since allocated the necessary resources for the ₹1,200 crore project.
In addition to this inspection, the Chief Minister has previously reviewed progress at Patna’s Bihta International Airport and Purnia’s Chunapur Airport. He continues to oversee major projects, ensuring thorough updates and progress reports.
