Patna: Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday directed officials to expedite work on the development of air facilities at Sabeya in Gopalganj, Forbesganj in Araria, Kishanganj, Saran and Ulav in Begusarai, as Bihar seeks to expand regional air connectivity under the revised UDAN scheme.Choudhary issued the instructions while chairing a review meeting at the ‘Sankalp’ auditorium at Lok Sevak Awas in the context of Version 6.0 of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), notified by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation under the revised UDAN framework.Officials said the revised UDAN scheme aims to strengthen regional air connectivity by linking small cities and underserved areas with improved air facilities. In line with this objective, the Bihar govt is working to speed up the development of aviation infrastructure across the state.The CM asked officials to make proper use of available resources and assess possibilities for connecting the maximum number of districts with air services. He also directed them to initiate necessary action on the feasibility of developing helipads or air facilities at other potential locations, including Aurangabad, Banka, Khagaria, Nawada, Sheikhpura and Sitamarhi.Choudhary specifically instructed officials to work on plans for helipads between Rajgir and Gaya, between Sasaram and Kaimur, and in Shahabad region. He said priority should be given to locations that would benefit surrounding districts as well as major tourism, religious and economic centres.He directed officials to quickly assess land availability, site suitability, traffic potential and other technical requirements for airports and helipads. He also asked them to coordinate with district officials to ensure the availability of land and other required resources.The CM said improved air connectivity would boost tourism, trade, industry, investment, employment and broader economic activity in Bihar. Connecting the state’s tourism, religious and historical sites with air services, he said, would increase tourist movement from India and abroad and strengthen local economies.He asked officials to prepare proposals according to Bihar’s requirements under the Regional Connectivity Scheme and coordinate with the central ministries and authorities concerned.Earlier, civil aviation department secretary Nilesh Ramchandra Deore gave a detailed presentation on expanding air connectivity, developing airports and helipads, and linking small cities and tourist destinations with air services.
