Bihar’s proposed greenfield airport at Sonepur in Saran district is expected to receive its Detailed Project Report within a month, with civil construction targeted to begin in 2027 and the facility planned for completion before 2030. RITES Ltd is preparing the DPR, following which the Bihar government will grant in-principle approval before the Airports Authority of India initiates bidding under the PPP model.
The airport will span approximately 4,228 acres, with land acquisition already approved at an estimated compensation of Rs 1,302.84 crore. The project cost is pegged at approximately Rs 10,000 crore inclusive of land acquisition. Designed with two runways ranging between 3,800 and 4,200 metres to accommodate wide-body and international operations, the terminal will be developed in phases, with initial capacity comparable to Patna airport’s existing terminal.
Airside infrastructure will include modern radar and navigation systems, a CAT III Instrument Landing System, and an air traffic control tower. The airport is intended to serve Saran, Vaishali, and adjoining districts while offering an additional aviation gateway for the wider Patna region. The larger land parcel is deliberately sized to allow future expansion unconstrained by the urban limitations that restrict growth at Patna airport.
