Question : Flight Operation from Darbhanga

(a) whether the flight operations from Darbhanga (Bihar) has been inaugurated recently and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government proposes to construct an airport at Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur or at any place near to these two cities in the State of Bihar and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether all the facilities necessary for flight operation have been set up there and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the flight operation has not been started till date and if so, the time by which flight operation from Darbhanga to various cities is likely to be started;

(e) whether the Government is facing any difficulties in constructing airport at Muzaffarpur in Bihar; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a): The flight operations from Darbhanga Airport have not been started yet. Darbhanga Airport belongs to Indian Air Force and Ministry of Defence has accorded approval for the development of a civil enclave at the airport for joint use. Bhoomi-Pujan/ Foundation stone ceremony was conducted on 24.12.2018 to start the construction activities.;
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(b) & (c): No proposal to construct new greenfield airports at Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur or at any place near these cities has been received from the State Government or any Airport Operator. However, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken work of construction of Interim Terminal Building (ITB) at existing Darbhanga Air Force Station for operation of civil flights. ;

(d): Air operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG) issued by the Government. It is upto the airline operator to provide air services to a specific place depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability.;
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(e) & (f): Muzaffarpur Airport belongs to Airports Authority of India. For the development of the airport, AAI has projected a requirement of 479 acres of land to the State Government of Bihar.