Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to Bihar’s Purnea district on September 15 to inaugurate a long-awaited airport and unveil development projects worth around ₹45,000 crore, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced on Wednesday.
Choudhary, who reviewed preparations in Purnea ahead of the visit, said the Prime Minister would be joined by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the ceremony. “Modi, in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, will declare the airport open for routine flights, which has been a long-standing demand of the people of the area. Purnea airport boasts of the largest runway in Bihar,” he told reporters.
The new facility will be Bihar’s fourth operational airport after Patna, Gaya and Darbhanga. Private carrier IndiGo has already confirmed three weekly flights connecting Purnea with Kolkata, with expectations that more routes will be added once demand rises.
The Deputy Chief Minister underlined Purnea’s geographical significance, noting its proximity to Nepal and Bangladesh. “Purnea borders Nepal and is not far from Bangladesh. It can be an international airport. I had recently requested the Union Civil Aviation Minister to consider Darbhanga and Purnea for international flights,” he said.
Choudhary emphasised that the immediate priority was to ensure the airport was fully equipped for round-the-clock operations. “As of now, our priority is to equip the new airports with all facilities, including night landing, so that it becomes a comfortable destination for air travellers from across the country,” he remarked.
Also read: Cabinet clears ₹7,616-cr worth infrastructure projects for Bihar
The inauguration of Purnea airport is expected to transform air connectivity in north Bihar, long dependent on distant hubs in Patna and Bagdogra. Officials believe it will also serve as a gateway for economic activity in the Seemanchal region, historically one of the most underdeveloped parts of the state.
The Prime Minister’s visit will not be confined to aviation infrastructure. Choudhary revealed that Modi will simultaneously launch projects worth ₹45,000 crore across multiple sectors. “The projects include those of the railways, a power plant at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur district and the Kosi-Mechi river link. These will be a gift to the people of Bihar from the double-engine government,” he said, referring to the BJP-led dispensation at the Centre and in the state.
According to official estimates, Modi has inaugurated projects worth close to ₹1.5 lakh crore in Bihar since 2014. The forthcoming announcements are seen as part of an accelerated push to strengthen the state’s infrastructure ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
For residents of Purnea, the inauguration is more than a political event. The region has long aspired to be connected by air, a sentiment now symbolised by the airport’s expansive runway and modern amenities. The airport is expected to ease travel, spur tourism and enhance investment opportunities in Bihar’s neglected northeast frontier.
Follow us
