Patna: In a major push to strengthen aviation infrastructure in north Bihar, the Bihar Cabinet on Friday approved the construction of a greenfield international airport in Sonepur in Saran district. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, where a total of 35 proposals received approval.
The proposed airport will be developed across approximately 4,200 acres in the Dariyapur Chanwar area, located between Hajipur and Dumaria. The State government has set an ambitious target of completing the project by 2030.
Following the project's mention in the Union Budget, the State government expedited the approval process and sanctioned Rs 1,302 crore for land acquisition. Officials said the airport will feature modern infrastructure, including a long runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380 - one of the world's largest passenger planes.
One of the key highlights of the Sonepur airport will be its two proposed runways, each measuring 4,200 metres in length. Upon completion, it is expected to become the fifth largest airport in India, after the international airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai and Noida (Jevar).
The project will mark the 24th greenfield airport in the country.
The decision is being viewed as a significant boost to regional connectivity in north Bihar, which has long demanded expanded air infrastructure to support economic growth and mobility.
Welcoming the Cabinet's approval, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP MP from Saran and former Union Minister, expressed gratitude to the State government for clearing what he described as a long-pending demand.
The Sonepur international airport is expected to play a transformative role in enhancing connectivity, attracting investment and generating employment opportunities across the region.
