Darbhanga gets defence ministry nod for commercial flight operations

PATNA: Decks have been cleared for commencement of commercial flight operations from Darbhanga airfield after the ministry of defence gave its nod to the Airports authority of India (AAI) for construction of a civil enclave or terminal building and other allied structure there.
Darbhanga airfield belongs to India Air Force (IAF) and a terminal building along with air traffic control (ATC) tower, parking apron and cargo among other amenities are required to be developed for commercial flight operations.
As regional flight operations are proposed from Darbhanga under the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (Udan) scheme, the AAI had sought permission from ministry of defence for a temporary terminal building and other structures.
The ministry, in a letter dated October 29, granted permission to AAI for construction of the temporary civil enclave there. The work permission envisages transfer of 2.3 acres of defence land at the airfield to AAI on lease for five years. The AAI will pay Rs15,75,460 per year as rent to the ministry.
The work permission includes construction of terminal building, parking area, approach road for vehicles and surface strengthening of the main runway among others.
JD(U)’s national general secretary Sanjay Jha, who has been pursuing the issue with the central government, claimed contract for strengthening of runway had already been awarded to a Delhi-based firm in September. “Work on construction of a temporary terminal building will also start soon,” Jha said.
AAI sources said several engineering works at Darbhanga airfield, like construction of approach road, installation of precision approach path indicator (PAPI) and conveyor belts have also been awarded to different private firms.
Patna airport director Rajender Singh Lahauria said in September that all the required structures at Darbhanga airfield are likely to be readied by mid-2019.
SpiceJet was issued the letter of award in January this year to operate flights from Darbhanga to Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai. Sources said the runway length at Darbhanga airfield is at least 8,000 feet, which is suitable for Airbus A-320 operations.