Purnea: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed interim terminal building of Purnea Airport in Bihar’s Seemanchal region on Monday, marking a significant step in strengthening regional air connectivity and fulfilling a long-standing demand of the local population.
A Key Milestone for Eastern Bihar
With this launch, Purnea becomes the fourth operational airport in Bihar for commercial flights after Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga. The airport will serve as a vital air travel hub for districts like Purnea, Araria, Katihar, Kishanganj, Supaul, and Sahrasa, as well as nearby regions in West Bengal and Nepal.
The new terminal, developed under the Government of India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, is equipped with modern passenger amenities and is expected to significantly improve travel efficiency and passenger capacity in the region.
First Flights Take Off to Ahmedabad and Kolkata
In the presence of the Prime Minister, two inaugural flights were flagged off—one to Ahmedabad and another to Kolkata. IndiGo Airlines will operate flights to Ahmedabad three times a week, enabling direct connectivity between Bihar’s Seemanchal region and a major industrial center in western India.
Boost to Development, Jobs, and Investment
PM Modi emphasized that enhanced air connectivity will not only bring convenience to local travelers, but also unlock new opportunities for economic growth, tourism, education, and entrepreneurship. It is expected to:
- Reduce travel time and cost for passengers who earlier had to travel to Patna or Bagdogra for air services
- Improve access to national and international opportunities for students and entrepreneurs
- Support regional industries, agriculture, and trade through better connectivity
- Create employment in aviation and allied sectors
Long-standing Demand Fulfilled
The inauguration also fulfills a promise made by the Prime Minister during the last Lok Sabha elections, where he had committed to bringing an airport to Purnea. The terminal also addresses the long-pending demand for better connectivity in Bihar’s Seemanchal and Kosi regions, areas often seen as economically and infrastructurally underserved.
Dignitaries Present at the Inauguration
Along with Prime Minister Modi, several high-profile leaders were present at the ceremony, including:
- Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Civil Aviation Minister
- Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar
- Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Bihar
- Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar
Their presence reflects the significance of the airport in the broader plan for Bihar’s regional development and connectivity.
Outlook
The launch of commercial operations at Purnea Airport is expected to be a game-changer for Eastern Bihar, potentially attracting new investments, boosting regional development, and offering direct flight access to key Indian cities in the future.
