This story is from December 25, 2018

Foundation of civil enclave laid at Darbhanga airport

Foundation of civil enclave laid at Darbhanga airport
Union civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu, his junior Jayant Sinha and chief minister (CM) Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone of a temporary civil enclave at Darbhanga airport on Monday. (Photo: PTI)
DARBHANGA: Union civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu, his junior Jayant Sinha and chief minister (CM) Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone of a temporary civil enclave at Darbhanga airport on Monday.
The terminal building, which will accommodate 200 people, is likely to be developed by May next year with an estimated expenditure of Rs 76 crore.
Low-cost airline Spicejet will operate flights from Darbhanga to Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai under the Centre’s ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik’ or Udan scheme.

The length of the runway at Darbhanga airfield is about 9,000feet, which is suitable for operation of aircraft like Airbus A-320.
Prabhu said regional flight operations under Udan scheme would soon start at several other places in the state, such as Muzaffarpur, Raxaul and Jogbani.
“At least 2,300 more aircraft are needed for better air connectivity in the country. These aircraft will be manufactured in the country. Like establishment of factories for environment-friendly diesel and electric locomotives, aircraft manufacturing units will also be set up in Bihar. This will also create employment opportunities for the youth,” Prabhu said.

Junior union civil aviation minister Jayant Sinha said the civil enclave at Darbhanga should be named after legendry Maithili poet Vidyapati. “Mithila painting should adorn the walls of the airport,” he added.
Sinha said SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh has assured the Centre of operating 10 to 15 flights daily from Darbhanga.
While thanking the Union ministers, Nitish approved the proposal of Sinha to name the Darbhanga airport after Maithili Kavi Kokil Vidyapati. The CM also informed the ministers about lack of space at Patna airport and requested them to commence the work on the new terminal building at the earliest.
He said the state government would spend Rs 121.43 crore to acquire land for the proposed civil airport at Purnia. “Flights for Kolkata, Bhubneshwar, Raipur and Ranchi should also be introduced at Darbhanga airport. The Centre should also consider introducing more flights at Gaya airport from where only one flight operates for Delhi,” the CM said.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA