The Bihar cabinet has approved the construction of an international airport in Sonepur, marking one of the most significant decisions taken during a meeting held amid the state’s budget session. 

Chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the cabinet cleared 35 agenda items, with officials confirming that the airport proposal has received formal approval.

Planned across nearly 4,200 acres, the airport will be located close to Patna, a factor authorities say will help reduce mounting pressure on the capital’s aviation infrastructure. The project is designed to accommodate long-haul international flights and is expected to provide North Bihar with direct global air connectivity, strengthening the region’s transport network.

Passenger numbers at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport have steadily increased in recent years, leading to operational constraints due to limited expansion space. Officials believe the proposed airport will distribute traffic more evenly and enable smoother operations, including the movement of larger aircraft in the future.

The government has also positioned the project as a catalyst for tourism and economic activity. Sonepur hosts the internationally known Sonepur Mela, which draws large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors each year. Improved air connectivity is expected to raise tourist inflow while creating employment opportunities in hospitality, transport, and allied service sectors.

In addition to the airport decision, the cabinet referenced outcomes from its previous meeting on February 6, when 17 proposals were approved, including measures to speed up trials in POCSO cases through the creation of additional posts in special courts. With around 6,000 cases pending, officials described the move as part of a broader push to strengthen judicial efficiency.

Authorities said preparatory steps for the airport, including land acquisition and technical surveys, will begin shortly, with indications that the process will be expedited. Analysts have described the decision as a major infrastructure push that could significantly enhance Bihar’s connectivity and long-term development trajectory.

According to the cabinet decision, the proposed airport will be built in the Dariyapur area between Hajipur and Dumaria. The government has set a target to complete the airport by 2030. The runway is planned in a way that it will be capable of handling the world’s largest passenger aircraft, including planes such as the Airbus A-380, allowing them to land and take off. The Nitish cabinet has allocated Rs 1,302 crore for land acquisition for the airport project. Further procedures will be initiated after approval for the Sonepur Greenfield Airport in the Union Budget.