Cabinet nod to expansion of Patna, Siliguri airports
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 16
The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the proposals for setting up of new civil enclaves at Bihta airport in Patna, Bihar, and Bagdogra airport in Siliguri, West Bengal, at a cost of Rs 1,413 crore and Rs 1,549 crore, respectively.
Metro rail extension projects get go-ahead
- The Union Cabinet approved the phase-3 of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Project with two elevated corridors for a length of 44.65 km with 31 stations.
- The Swargate to Katraj underground line extension of the existing PCMC-Swargate Metro Line of Pune Metro has also got a green signal. It will include three underground stations.
- The project, aimed at providing seamless connectivity in Pune, is set to be completed by February 2029.
- The Cabinet gave its assent to the 29-km-long Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project corridor, Maharashtra.
- The estimated cost of the project is ~12,200.10 crore, with equal equity from the Centre, the Maharashtra Government along with part-funding from bilateral agencies.
Apart from being significant in terms of infrastructure development, the expansion of Bihta airport (in Patna) is politically important, considering the fact that the JD(U) is lending crucial support to the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the two proposals of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The key components of the project include the construction of an Apron capable of accommodating 10 parking bays suitable for A-321/B-737-800/A-320 type aircraft, as well as two link taxiways.
The new civil enclave at Bagdgora airport in Siliguri, West Bengal envisions a proposed terminal building spanning 70,390 sq m and will be designed to accommodate 3,000 peak hour passengers (PHP), with an annual capacity to handle 10 million passengers. The terminal building will be a green building, integrating renewable energy sources and maximising natural lighting to minimise ecological footprint.
The proposed new integrated terminal building at Bihta airport spans 66,000 sqm and is designed to handle 3,000 peak hour passengers and annually cater to 50 lakh passengers. This will be further expanded by another 50 lakh whenever it is required and the ultimate capacity would be one crore passengers per annum.
This development is poised to significantly enhance the Bagdogra airport's operational efficiency and passenger experience, reinforcing its role as a pivotal air travel hub for the region.
