Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated a new terminal building at Patna Airport and also laid foundation stone for a new civil enclave at Bihta airport to provide a comfortable and world-class experience for travelers.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu, deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were also present on the occasion.
Bihar will witness significant aviation and tourism development with the inauguration of a new terminal building of Patna Airport. While the new terminal of Patna Airport has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1200 crore, Rs 1413 crore will be spent for constructing a civil enclave at Bihta Air Force station, 30 km west of the state capital.
The development of modern infrastructure will further strengthen Bihar’s connectivity, boosting tourism, trade, and investment opportunities.
The design of the new terminal building at Patna Airport has traces of Bihar’s architectural traditions, which draws inspiration from the landscape of the region and Mithila art.
The new terminal building at Patna Airport is constructed over an area of 65,150 sqm, including the basement, which is equipped to serve 3000 passengers (1500 arrival and 1500 departure) during peak hours and one crore passengers annually.
Passengers facilities like - 64 check-in counters, 9 automatic tray retrieval systems (ATRS) in phase-I, five aerobridges, four conveyor belts in arrival hall are proposed in the new terminal building. Also, an apron is provisioned for parking 11 (9 code C-A320 and 2 ATR) aircraft bays and a multilevel car parking (MLCP) facility in the city side, which will increase the parking capacity to 1100 cars.
The new terminal building at Bihta will be built over an area of 68,000 sqm, having capacity to serve 3000 passengers during peak hours, and 50 Lakh passengers annually up to 2047. Additionally, ancillary buildings like multi level car park (MLCP), service block, etc. are planned to be constructed to augment the new terminal building. Passenger facilities like - 64 check-in counters, 16 self-check-in kiosks, 10 automatic tray retrieval system (ATRS), five aerobridges, and 6 conveyor belts in the arrival hall have been planned.
The new terminal building at Patna Airport and new civil enclave at Bihta Airport seamlessly integrate local art and culture into its design with a focus on sustainability. Key features include an insulated roofing system for thermal insulation and energy efficiency, LED lighting, and glazing that minimises heat transfer to maintain a comfortable temperature.
These eco-conscious initiatives collectively aim for an ambitious 4-star GRIHA rating (Patna) and 5-star GRIHA rating (Bihta), symbolising the harmonious combination of local aesthetics, culture, and sustainable design in the terminal building.
The inauguration of the new terminal building at Patna Airport, along with the foundation laying for the new civil enclave at Bihta Airport, is poised to significantly elevate the region's profile as a hub for trade, commerce, and tourism. Furthermore, the establishment of the airport is anticipated to attract new enterprises, industries, and investments in the education and healthcare sectors, thus generating employment opportunities and transforming the city into an economic centre.
