Patna: Air connectivity to the Kosi region moved forward with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) inviting bids for the development and upgrade of the existing Saharsa airport. The project, estimated to cost Rs42.52 crore, is aimed at preparing the airport for operations by Code 2B category aircraft, with the work scheduled to be completed within 450 days.The proposed development will cover key airside and supporting infrastructure, including the runway, taxiway, apron, perimeter road, ground support equipment (GSE) area, vehicular lane, emergency access road, Runway End Safety Area (RESA) and runway basic strip. On completion, the airport will be required to meet Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) standards for operations by aircraft in the approved category.A major component of the project is runway expansion, for which the Bihar govt is acquiring 12 acres of land at a cost of Rs147 crore. The land acquisition cost will be borne by the state govt, after which the land will be handed over to the AAI for airport development.Chief minister Samrat Choudhary has directed authorities to accord priority to the acquisition process so that the required land is made available without delay. The Saharsa district administration and the aviation department are coordinating the process and will work to provide an encumbrance-free site to the contractor after the tender process is completed.The proposed airport development is expected to improve connectivity for the Kosi region, with Saharsa serving as an important administrative, educational, healthcare and commercial centre for Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura.Improved air connectivity could also benefit sectors such as fisheries, agro-processing and small industries and support tourism around Matsyagandha and other religious and tourist destinations. Given the region’s vulnerability to floods, an operational airport could also facilitate faster disaster response, relief and emergency operations.The Saharsa project is part of Bihar’s efforts to expand regional air connectivity under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.
