(a) whether the Government proposes to expand the Lok Nayak Jayprakash Narayan Airport in Patna;
(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof along with the passenger amenities/ facilities to be augmented at this airport;
(c) whether the Government proposes to allow operation of commercial flights from Purnea and Darbhanga airports which are under Air Force control; and
(d) if so, the details and the present status thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri G.M. Siddeshwara)
(a) & (b) : No, Madam. The existing Terminal building at Lok Nayak Jayprakash Narayan Airport, Patna can handle 300 passengers at a time. Further, expansion of the present runway length of the airport is not possible due to land constraints and obstacles such as Railway Line and Highway towards west and Botanical Garden, Govt. buildings and Watch Tower towards east.
(c) & (d) : There is no such proposal under consideration. Operationalisation of airports depends upon many factors such as commercial viability, demand from airlines, availability of required infrastructure, etc. Further, Government of India has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG) with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air services of different regions of the country. However, it is up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability subject to compliance of RDG.