
CS: Purnia airport to be operational by Aug-end
The declaration followed a high-level review meeting held at Purnia to assess the progress of ongoing construction work.
Meena directed the engineers and representatives of the executing agencies to expedite the remaining work while maintaining quality standards. Originally developed as the Chunapur airstrip by the Indian Air Force during the 1962 Indo-China war, the facility is now being upgraded to serve both military and civilian aviation needs.
Meena also instructed the road construction department to complete the repair and construction of roads leading to the airport, which is expected to provide air connectivity to seven districts in the Seemanchal and Kosi regions, as well as to parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand and even Nepal.
The Purnia airport's 2,800-metre runway is the longest in Bihar. The review meeting addressed the status of the interim terminal building, apron, runway and approach roads with an aim to make the facility operational as soon as possible.
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Public demand for the airport dates back to the early 2000s with periodic demonstrations keeping the issue alive. A trial run began in 2012 but was discontinued due to inadequate infrastructure. After fresh land acquisition in 2022 and a project review by CM Nitish Kumar during his Pragati Yatra, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) approved the terminal building plan earlier this year.
Given its regional importance, observers believe the Purnia airport project will be a major election issue in Seemanchal districts such as Purnia, Katihar, Araria and Kishanganj.
The review meeting was attended by AAI chairman Vipin Kumar, additional chief secretary S Siddharth, aviation director Nilesh Rachandra Dewade, Purnia division commissioner Rajesh Kumar, DIG Pramod Kumar Mandal, DM Anshul Kumar, SP Sweety Sahrawat and an Indian Air Force wing commander.

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