Bihta Air Force Station

{{Short description|Indian Air Force base in Bihar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox airport | name = Air Force Station, Bihta | ensign = 60px | nativename = | image = Bihta_airforce_station.jpg | IATA = | ICAO = | pushpin_map = India Bihar#India | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | pushpin_label = '''Bihta Air Force Station ''' | pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in India | type = Military | owner = | operator = Indian Air Force | city-served = | location = Bihta | elevation-f = 194 | elevation-m = 59 | coordinates = {{coord|25|35|27|N|84|53|00|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}} | website = | metric-rwy = y | r1-number = 10/28 | r1-length-m = 2,500 | r1-length-f = 8,202 | r1-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = | stat1-header = | stat1-data = | stat2-header = | stat2-data = | stat3-header = | stat3-data = | footnotes = }} thumb|Nitish Kumar inspecting Bihta Air Force Station and the site for construction of Bihta International Airport in 2024 The '''Bihta Air Force Station''' is an Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Bihta in the state of Bihar, India.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Security-tightened-in-Bihta-air-force-base-after-ISI-threat/articleshow/16806206.cms | title=Security tightened in Bihta air force base after ISI threat | publisher=The Times of India, Patna | work=Kumod Verma, TNN | date=23 July 2002 | access-date=27 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510184846/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Security-tightened-in-Bihta-air-force-base-after-ISI-threat/articleshow/16806206.cms | archive-date=10 May 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> The military airfield lies {{convert|40|km|-1}} southwest of the state capital, Patna, and is spread over an area of around {{convert|900|acre|-1}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150312/jsp/bihar/story_8089.jsp#.VQMdxEKGmcO | title=Land hurdle for Bihta take-off | publisher=The Telegraph (Calcutta) | date=12 March 2015 | access-date=13 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312090024/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150312/jsp/bihar/story_8089.jsp#.VQMdxEKGmcO | archive-date=12 March 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/centre-bihar-government-agree-to-resolve-patna-airport-upgrade-issues/articleshow/51986606.cms |title=Centre, Bihar government agree to resolve Patna Airport upgrade issues - the Economic Times |work=The Economic Times |date=26 April 2016 |access-date=2016-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428132832/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/centre-bihar-government-agree-to-resolve-patna-airport-upgrade-issues/articleshow/51986606.cms |archive-date=2016-04-28 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a civil enclave at the air base on 29 May 2025.<ref name = "MOD">{{cite web | url= https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2132684 | work=Press Information Bureau | title=Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Inaugurates New Terminal at Patna Airport and Lays Foundation Stone for Civil Enclave at Bihta | date=30 May 2025 | access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref>

==History== During the Second World War, the British Army used Bihta airfield as a base for assembling and test-flying American-manufactured Waco Hadrian combat gliders, as preparations were made for operations by the 44th Airborne Division of the Indian Army against Japanese-held Singapore, Thailand and Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) in the South-East Asian theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armyflying.com/the-collections/online-exhibitions/vj-day/ |title=Online Exhibitions: VJ Day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112203055/https://armyflying.com/the-collections/online-exhibitions/vj-day/ |website=Army Flying Museum |archive-date=2026-01-12 |access-date=2026-02-21}}</ref>

No. 6 Care & Maintenance Unit of the IAF has been operational at the airfield since 1964, when it was first raised. The unit moved briefly to Panagarh between July 1971 and July 1972 and to Phaphmau between August 1972 and May 1974.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/units/list.php?qunit=6+C%26MU | work=Bharat Rakshak | title=6 Care and Maintenance Unit | access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref>

===New civil airport=== In 2016, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) proposed to develop a civil enclave at the Bihta airbase to serve as a second airport for Patna. The Indian Air Force gave its consent in April 2016 for commercial flight operations from Bihta as a medium-term measure for development of air operations from Patna.<ref name="TTG">{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160408/jsp/bihar/story_78931.jsp#.Vwi0KGOqR8O | work=The Telegraph | title=Bihta gets bigger wings | date=8 April 2016 | access-date=9 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411032943/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160408/jsp/bihar/story_78931.jsp#.Vwi0KGOqR8O | archive-date=11 April 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> AAI had earlier estimated a requirement of {{convert|600|acre|-1}} of land for the first Phase and another {{convert|790|acre|-1}} for the second Phase to replace the existing Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/aai-proposes-to-develop-airport-at-bihta-for-international-operations-115031001000_1.html | title=AAI Proposes to Develop Airport at Bihta for International Operations | publisher=Business Standard | date=10 March 2015 | access-date=13 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151717/http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/aai-proposes-to-develop-airport-at-bihta-for-international-operations-115031001000_1.html | archive-date=2 April 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2016, the Bihar cabinet approved the Patna master plan for 2031 which envisaged development of a new airport at Bihta.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Cabinet-OKs-Patna-master-plan-paves-way-for-big-bulidings-new-airport/articleshow/55100844.cms |title=Home still a dream sans nod to map in Patna | ET RealEstate |website=The Times of India |access-date=2016-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807182141/http://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/residential/home-still-a-dream-sans-nod-to-map-in-patna/47294944 |archive-date=2016-08-07 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|title=पटना मास्टर प्लान 2031 मेट्रोपोलिटन कमेटी नक्शा पास करेगी|date=November 2016 |access-date=2016-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010315/http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/patna-master-plan-2031-metropolitan-committee-will-pass-the-map/885005.html|archive-date=2016-11-04|url-status=live}}</ref> The cabinet approved a budget of Rs 260 crore for the acquisition of {{convert|126|acre|1}} for the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport-352209-2016-11-16 |title=Patna to get second civil airport on city's outskirts in Bihta : India, News - India Today |date=16 November 2016 |access-date=2016-11-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117071438/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport/1/811788.html |archive-date=17 November 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Flying-from-Bihta-to-be-less-expensive-than-Patna-AAI/articleshow/55463364.cms |title=Flying from Bihta to be less expensive than Patna: AAI - Times of India |website=The Times of India |access-date=2016-11-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121101221/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Flying-from-Bihta-to-be-less-expensive-than-Patna-AAI/articleshow/55463364.cms |archive-date=21 November 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp#.WCyhzdJ97IU |title= Airport gets bigger wingspan|website=www.telegraphindia.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116155055/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp |archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> To provide the land needed—{{convert|99|acre|0}} in Vishambhar and {{convert|27|acre|0}} in Kultupur—property from about 400 landowners was acquired for the new airport in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/aai-to-get-airport-land-in-3-mths/articleshow/59582001.cms|title=AAI to get airport land in 3 mths|website=The Times of India |date=14 July 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928090854/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/aai-to-get-airport-land-in-3-mths/articleshow/59582001.cms|archive-date=28 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> AAI shortlisted Delhi-based Synergy Consultants in December 2018 to design the terminal building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/company-selected-to-design-bihta-terminal-building/articleshow/67328946.cms|title=Company selected to design Bihta terminal building | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India |date=January 2019 }}</ref> AAI and the State Government approved the terminal design in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/design-okayed-city-to-get-its-second-airport-by-2022/articleshow/70208937.cms|title=Design okayed; Patna to get its second airport by 2022 | date= 14 July 2019 | accessdate= 14 July 2025 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> The Airport Authority had proposed the transfer of {{convert|156|acre|0}} of land to the state government, apart from the parcel which the state government is to transfer for the terminal and other facilities, so that the length of the runway could be increased to {{convert|12000|ft|m|-1}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/march-date-for-airport-revamp-firm-185347|title=March date for airport revamp firm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114202240/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/march-date-for-airport-revamp-firm-185347|archive-date=14 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Preparatory activities, including soil testing, began in April 2025, following the allocation of the remaining eight acres of land by the state government on March, completing the total {{convert|126|acre|adj=on|0}} site required for the project. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) awarded the ₹459.99 crore contract in February 2025, to a joint venture between Russian and Indian firms.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/design-okayed-city-to-get-its-second-airport-by-2022/articleshow/70208937.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Construction work of Bihta airport terminal to begin next month | date=13 April 2025 | access-date=14 July 2025}}</ref>

====Project features==== Of the {{convert|126|acre|0}} of land acquired by the State Government near Bihta airbase, {{convert|108|acre|0}} will be used by AAI to build the civil enclave while the remaining {{convert|18|acre|0}} will be used by the State Government for development of amenities, including a VIP lounge, a hotel and a hangar.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/design-okayed-city-to-get-its-second-airport-by-2022/articleshow/70208937.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Design okayed; Patna to get its second airport by 2022 | date=14 July 2019 | access-date=30 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="TOI2"/> The {{convert|20|km|adj=on|0}} long four-lane Danapur-Bihta Elevated Road, to be built at a cost of around Rs 2,000 crore, will connect the airport with Patna.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/nitish-approves-alignment-of-rs-2000-crore-danapur-bihta-elevated-road/articleshow/69638951.cms|title=20-km long elevated road: Nitish approves alignment of Rs 2,000 crore Danapur-Bihta elevated road | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India |date=3 June 2019 }}</ref>

The Bihta terminal design draws architectural inspiration from the Mauryan and Gupta eras, as well as Nalanda and Vikramashila. Designed for a 5-star GRIHA rating, it incorporates sustainable infrastructure including a sewage treatment plant for recycled water usage.<ref name = "MOD"/> The terminal building of the civil enclave will have the capacity to handle up to 5 million passengers per annum and can be increased to 10 million per annum as required. It will have two levels, with the ground floor for arrivals and first floor for the departure of passengers.<ref name="TOI2">{{cite news | url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/dpr-for-bihta-civil-enclave-likely-to-be-ready-next-week/articleshow/69434483.cms | work=The Times of India | title=DPR for Bihta civil enclave likely to be ready next week | date= 22 May 2019 | access-date=30 September 2019}}</ref> The terminal will cover 68,000 m<sup>2</sup> (6.8 ha) and will feature 64 check-in counters, 16 self-check-in kiosks, 10 Automatic Tray Retrieval Systems (ATRS), and five aerobridges. The project is estimated to cost around ₹1,413 crore.

The government has also acquired the land needed to extend the runway by almost 50% to a length of {{convert|12000|ft|m|-1}}. This will allow large aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 to operate from the airport. In addition, an advanced category-II Instrument Landing System (ILS) will be installed at the new airport so that flights can land there at a visibility as low as 350 m.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/state-govt-unable-to-give-more-land-for-bihta-airbase-runway/articleshow/65506559.cms|title=Bihta airbase runway: Bihar government unable to give more land for Bihta airbase runway | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India |date=23 August 2018 }}</ref>

==See also== *List of Indian Air Force bases {{clear}}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Airports in Bihar Category:Patna district Category:Indian Air Force bases Category:Airports with year of establishment missing Category:Military airbases established in 1964