Introduction: Bihar’s air gateway has undergone a transformative leap with the inauguration of the new Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport terminal in Patna, a project blending cutting-edge engineering with rich cultural heritage. At the structural core of this ambitious project lies over 2,500 MT of Tata Structura YST 355 hollow sections, supplied by Tata Steel Tubes Division. Chosen for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, design flexibility, and slender aesthetics, these sections have enabled the creation of vast column-free spaces and striking architectural features that define the new terminal.
The new terminal is designed to handle 4,500 passengers per day, a 250 per cent leap from the previous capacity of 1,300 passengers, translating to an annual throughput of 10 million passengers, up from 3 million earlier. Beyond numbers, this expansion marks a quantum shift in Bihar’s connectivity, with direct international flights to Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok now within reach, unlocking fresh opportunities for tourism, trade, and investment.
Architecturally, the 65,000 sq m facility draws on Bihar’s rich heritage, weaving Nalanda-inspired structural forms, Madhubani art, and Buddhist heritage murals into a thoroughly modern travel experience. Its split-level configuration of Arrivals at ground level and Departures on the upper level enhances operational efficiency while easing passenger movement.
“The bold 36 m cantilevered canopy is a seamless marriage of architecture and structural engineering.”
FUNCTION MEETS HERITAGE
The core design philosophy was to create a modern, efficient, and culturally resonant terminal that performs under high operational loads within tight site constraints. The compact site demanded a multi-level design to separate passenger flows vertically, ensuring smooth throughput without cross-traffic.
The landside forecourt reinterprets the traditional Madhubani Garden in a contemporary landscape setting. The terminal’s clean, rectilinear massing is offset by a bold roofline with generous cantilevers, symbolising lightness and openness, an effect made possible through the use of steel tubular sections.
TUBULAR STEEL IN MOTION
The roof and departure-level canopy form the visual signature of the terminal. Engineered as a large-span steel truss system in 36 m × 36 m modules, the structure offers expansive column-free interiors essential for smooth passenger circulation.
At the departure level, the canopy cantilevers a remarkable 36 m, a seamless integration of architecture and engineering. Tubular steel sections made this feat possible, delivering the necessary strength while maintaining slender, graceful profiles that elevate the terminal’s architectural appeal.
| Architect’s Take:
“Designing the new Patna Airport Terminal was about creating a bold, efficient, and culturally resonant space within an extremely tight footprint. Steel allowed us to push the boundaries of form and function. The result is a terminal that is both contemporary in its performance and timeless in its spirit.” S.R. SIKKA, Principal, Sikka Associates Architects |
DESIGN WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Tata Structura YST 355 hollow sections proved to be the ideal structural solution for the project’s demanding design brief. Their high strength-to-weight ratio allowed the engineering team to reduce visual bulk and achieve sleek, uncluttered roof geometry.
From a practical standpoint, tubular steel enabled off-site fabrication and swift on-site assembly, a critical advantage given the restricted construction footprint and the need to build the new terminal behind the operational existing one. This eliminated the need for extensive material storage space on-site, further streamlining project execution.
“From a practical standpoint, tubular steel enabled off-site fabrication and swift on-site assembly, a critical advantage given the restricted construction footprint.”
OVERCOMING COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES
The tight site and sequencing constraints were among the most complex in any airport project. The operational terminal had to remain functional until the new one was complete. Steel tubular construction proved invaluable here: prefabricated components were delivered in optimised sequences, assembled efficiently, and integrated without disrupting ongoing airport operations.
The result is a facility that meets the highest standards of durability, safety, and aesthetics while showcasing the versatility of hollow steel sections in large-scale public infrastructure.
TATA STRUCTURA’S ROLE IN PROJECT DELIVERY
Tata Steel Tubes Division supplied the entire 2,500 MT requirement of YST 355 grade Tata Structura hollow sections, ensuring 100 per cent share-of-business. This was achieved through continuous stakeholder engagement – right from project announcement through all stages of project till completion – by the Tubes Division team with robust on-ground support from channel partner BMW Ventures Pvt Ltd. Their coordination ensured timely deliveries, quality compliance, and full alignment with the project’s demanding timelines.
A LANDMARK FOR BIHAR’S FUTURE
With the inauguration of the new terminal, Patna gains not just an airport but a gateway to economic acceleration. From faster travel and improved connectivity to global-ready infrastructure, the project will serve as a catalyst for the state’s transformation.
Tubular Steel at a Glance
Tata Structura YST 355 Hollow Sections
- High strength-to-weight ratio for large-span, lightweight construction
- Architectural flexibility for clean, slender profiles
- Ideal for prefabrication and quick on-site assembly
- Durability and performance in high-traffic public infrastructure
Patna Airport Terminal at a Glance
- Cost: INR 1,400 crore
- Size: 65,000 sq m terminal building
- Passenger Capacity: 10 million annually (4,500/day)
- Cultural Design: Nalanda-inspired architecture, Madhubani murals
- Structural Highlight: 36 m × 36 m large-span steel trusses
- Steel Supply: 2,500 MT Tata Structura YST 355 hollow sections (100% SOB)
Fact File:
Project: Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport Expansion Project, Patna, Bihar
Project Owner: Airports Authority of India
Project Architects: Sikka Associates
Executing Agency: National Construction Company
Stee Supplier: Tata Structura
Channel Partner: BMW Ventures Pvt. Ltd.
Tonnage: 2500 MT
