2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1 at 07:09, 15 December 2022

2022-12-15T07:09:21Z

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{{Short description|Indian Air Force base in Bihar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Air Force Station, Bihta
| ensign = [[File:Roundel of India.svg|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 =
}}
The '''Bihta Air Force Station''' is an [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) base in [[Bihta]], [[Bihar]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://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 40 kilometres southwest of state capital [[Patna]] and is spread over an area of around 900 acres.<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=live }}</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 |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>

==Civilian Operations==
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 air operations from Patna.<ref name="TTG">{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160408/jsp/bihar/story_78931.jsp#.Vwi0KGOqR8O | work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|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=live }}</ref> The terminal building of the civil enclave will have the capacity to cater up to 2.5 million passengers per annum. It will be two-storied, with the ground floor for arrival 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 2022}}</ref> The Khagaul-Shivala-Bihta road, which will be broadened to four lanes, will connect the airport with the city. AAI had earlier estimated a requirement of 600 acres of land for the first Phase and another 790 acres for the second Phase in lieu of the existing [[Jay Prakash Narayan Airport|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, Bihar cabinet approved the Patna master plan 2031 which envisaged development of a new airport at Bihta.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://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|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 Bihar government identified 126 acres of land at Vishambharpur and Kutlupur for construction of the civil enclave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|title=Land identified to make Bihta airport operational for flyers|website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929205528/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|archive-date=2016-09-29|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2016, the Bihar cabinet approved a budget of {{INR}}260 crore for the acquisition of 126 acres of land for the project.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport/1/811788.html |title=Patna to get second civil airport on city's outskirts in Bihta : India, News - India Today |access-date=2016-11-16 |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=2016-11-17 |url-status=live }}</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 |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=2016-11-21 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp#.WCyhzdJ97IU |title=Airport gets bigger wingspan |access-date=2016-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116155055/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161116/jsp/bihar/story_119435.jsp#.WCyhzdJ97IU |archive-date=2016-11-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The AAI and State Government approved the civil enclave design in July 2019, with construction expected to begin by the end of 2019. The first phase entails a two-stored building covering an area of 25,000 square metres. The civil enclave is expected to be ready by 2022 and will cost of over {{INR}}500 crores.
In the first phase, the terminal building will be equipped with five aerobridges and parking bays for five aircraft. In the next phase, the terminal area will be doubled to 50,000 square metres with five additional aerobridges and five additional parking bays.
Of the 126 acres of land acquired by the State Government near Bihta airbase, 108 acres will be used by AAI to build the civil enclave while the remaining 18 acres 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 2022}}</ref><ref name="TOI2"/>
Bihar government transferred 108-acre land to the AAI for Bihta civil enclave. The built-up area of the terminal building at Bihta would be approximately 50,000 sq metres. Over Rs 350 crore is estimated to be spent on the project. Once completed, Bihta airport will have the capacity to handle 2.5 million passengers per annum (MPA).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/dpr-for-bihta-civil-enclave-likely-to-be-ready-next-week/articleshow/69434483.cms|title=DPR for Bihta civil enclave likely to be ready next week | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

Bihar government acquired 120 acres of land for construction of the new airport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-airport-to-be-spruced-up-for-Prakashotsava/articleshow/55915600.cms |title=Patna airport to be spruced up for Prakashotsava - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-12-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928090919/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-airport-to-be-spruced-up-for-Prakashotsava/articleshow/55915600.cms |archive-date=28 September 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|title=Land identified to make Bihta airport operational for flyers|website=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929205528/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Land-identified-to-make-Bihta-airport-operational-for-flyers/articleshow/54513137.cms|archive-date=29 September 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Bihar cabinet approved a budget of Rs 260 crore for the acquisition of 126 acres for Bihta airport which was scheduled to be completed by October 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihta-defence-airbase-patna-bihar-government-aai-jai-prakash-narayan-international-airport/1/811788.html |title=Patna to get second civil airport on city's outskirts in Bihta : India, News - India Today |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 2022}}</ref> Of the 126 acres - 99 acres in Vishambhar and 27 acres in Kultupur localities from around 400 land owners were acquired for the new airport.<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]] |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><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170714/jsp/bihar/story_161745.jsp|title=Satellite airport project rolls DM interacts with land owners over compensation issues|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818133956/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170714/jsp/bihar/story_161745.jsp|archive-date=18 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> An elevated expressway from Saguna Mor to Bihta is going to be constructed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/elevated-expressway-boost-for-bihta-airbase/articleshow/59611470.cms|title=Elevated expressway boost for Bihta airbase|website=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719073256/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/elevated-expressway-boost-for-bihta-airbase/articleshow/59611470.cms|archive-date=19 July 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Of the 120 acres of acquired land for Bihta Airport, 108 acres will be utilised for development of a civil enclave and the remaining 12 acres for development of amenities, including a VIP lounge, a hotel and a hangar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/civil-enclave-land-wall-work-to-begin-next-week/articleshow/64670347.cms|title=Civil enclave land wall work to begin next week | Patna News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

Airport Authority had proposed 156 acres of land to the state government, apart from 128 acres which state government is to transfer, so that length of the runway could be increased to 12000 feet,<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=live|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> in order to install advanced category-II Instrument Landing System (ILS) at new airport so that flights could 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}}</ref>

===Status===
* October 2016 - Bihar cabinet approved the Patna master plan 2031 which envisages development of a new airport at Bihta.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://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=2016-10-28 |url-status=live |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=7 August 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</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|url-status=live|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=4 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* November 2016 - Agreement reached between the Bihar government and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to expand Bihar defence airbase.
* 31 December 2018 - [[Airports Authority of India]] shortlisted Synergy Company to design Bihta Airport 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}}</ref>
* 3 June 2019 - Bihar Government approved a 20-km long four-lane Danapur-Shivala-Bihta elevated road at the cost of around Rs 2,000 crore.<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}}</ref> This highway will be completed by 2022 and will connect Patna to the upcoming civil airport at Bihta via Danapur railway station and Shivala Chowk. Of total 20 km length, 17 km would be elevated. The elevated portion would terminate at the junction of the Bihta-Sarmera Road near Kanhauli village. From that junction, the road would go up to the Bihta Chowk besides connecting the Bihta Airport; it would again be elevated at the Bihta Chowk.

==See also==
*[[List of Indian Air Force bases]]
*Danapur-Bihta elevated road
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Airports in India}}

{{authority control}}

{{Indian Air Force}}

[[Category:Airports in Bihar]]
[[Category:Patna district]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force bases]]
[[Category:Airports with year of establishment missing]]

Bihta Air Force Station - Revision history

2600:1700:5390:4560:D43A:CFF2:CAA9:8AF1 at 07:09, 15 December 2022