Air services set for revival in Bhagalpur after four decades

Bhagalpur: The dream of having air services from Bhagalpur is set to materialise soon with the state cabinet approving Rs 472 crore for acquiring 931 acres of land in Sultanganj block for the proposed greenfield airport under Centre’s UDAN scheme. The move comes as a major step towards fulfilling a 42-year-old demand of the people of Bhagalpur for regular air connectivity.In addition to the land acquisition, the cabinet also sanctioned Rs 1.21 crore for the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to prepare a pre-feasibility report (PFR) for airports proposed at Bhagalpur, Motihari and Chhapra.Sultanganj was chosen for the project owing to its strategic location, proximity to several adjoining districts and the easy availability of suitable land for a large airport. The site will also cater to millions of pilgrims visiting Sultanganj during the monthlong Shravani Mela each year, as well as throughout the year for pilgrimages to Deoghar, Ajgaibinath Dham and other nearby religious destinations, sources said.Earlier, in March 2024, the Bihar cabinet had approved a plan for a new airport at Bhagalpur as the existing airfield was too small. The local administration was directed to identify suitable land in consultation with the ministry of civil aviation and the AAI. Subsequent surveys led to the selection of land in Sultanganj and Goradih blocks.Bhagalpur MP Ajay Kumar Mandal of JD(U) thanked CM Nitish Kumar for approving funds for the project. “Relentless efforts at different levels for starting air services from Bhagalpur will soon be a reality. CM Nitish is a visionary leader who has fulfilled the dreams of the people of Bhagalpur. Multidimensional growth will follow this development,” he said.BJP national spokesperson and former civil aviation minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said, “Both CM Nitish Kumar and PM Narendra Modi have been keen to fulfil the people’s long-pending demand for restarting air services from Bhagalpur. The Greenfield airport at Sultanganj will cater to diverse passengers and pilgrims, including those from neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Nepal, especially during the Shravani Mela period.”Sultanganj MLA Lalit Narayan Mandal of JD(U) said the airport would become a major driver of development and improve connectivity for Bhagalpur and adjoining districts.Commercial air services from Bhagalpur were last operated in 1983 by private operators but were discontinued due to low passenger volume and poor financial viability.