Patna: Construction of the new terminal building at Darbhanga Airport has reached 68% completion, marking significant progress in one of Bihar’s most important aviation infrastructure projects. The swanky terminal, which is expected to be completed by Nov 30, 2026, will substantially expand passenger handling capacity and introduce a host of modern facilities aimed at improving the travel experience.Airport director Dilip Kumar said the airport administration is focused on providing better services and a comfortable journey for passengers. He stated that the new terminal complex, spread over more than 52 acres, is being developed with modern infrastructure and passenger-centric amenities.The Rs 674.96-crore project has achieved financial progress of Rs 380.75 crore, or 59.19% of the total project cost. Several major components are nearing completion, with elevated flyover and tunnel works reaching 98% completion. Civil construction of the power house and air-conditioning plant is 95% complete, while work on the sewage treatment plant has progressed to 80%.The upcoming terminal will be a major upgrade from the existing facility. The current terminal has a built-up area of 3,361 square metres and can handle about 550 passengers during peak hours. In comparison, the new terminal will cover 62,800 square metres and accommodate up to 3,000 passengers during peak periods.Passenger facilities will witness a substantial expansion. The number of check-in counters will increase from 15 to 40, while security screening counters will rise from three to nine. The terminal will also feature five aerobridges, ten escalators and twelve elevators, all of which are absent in the existing building. The number of baggage carousels will double from two to four, and five retiring rooms will be available for passengers.Operational infrastructure is also being strengthened. The new apron will provide parking space for seven aircraft, replacing the current dependence on the Indian Air Force apron. Dedicated parking facilities for 250 cars and five buses are also planned.A dedicated cargo terminal will be established for the first time at Darbhanga Airport. Spread across 860 square metres, it will have an annual cargo handling capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes and a peak capacity of 80 metric tonnes.Kumar said efforts are also underway to establish a police outpost on the airport premises. He added that the visibility issues that affect flight operations during winter are expected to be largely resolved in the coming years. The Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT I has been installed recently at airport, which will improve flight operations during poor weather conditions.The project incorporates several environmentally sustainable features, including a 650-kWp solar power plant, four 30-kW electric vehicle charging stations, an Integrated Building Management and Energy Management System (IBMS & EMS), rainwater harvesting facilities, a 1,150-KLD sewage treatment plant and a solid waste management system capable of processing 1,100 kilograms of waste per day.Once operational, the new terminal is expected to transform air travel in north Bihar by significantly increasing capacity, improving passenger comfort and supporting the region’s economic growth and connectivity.
