The airport built at a cost of about 40,000 crores is expected to improve connectivity in Eastern Bihar and promote economic growth. Future expansion plans include flights to Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai besides already declared services to Ahmedabad and Kolkata.
The Prime Minister arrived a little late from Kolkata, gave a grand welcome with cultural performance and traditional dance. That Civil Aviation Minister N. Ram Mohan Naidu, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CMS Emperor Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha and other union and state ministers attended. BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal implicated him with a garland made from Makhana.
With the airport, PM Modi inaugurated several major infrastructure projects:
Araria -Kalagalia -Thakurganj railway line () 4,410 crore)
Jogbani -Danapur Vande Bharat Express, Jogbani -Arod Amrit Bharat Express, and Saharsa -Amritsar Amrit Bharat Express
Foundation laid for Vikramashila -Kataria railway line () 2,170 crore)
2400 MW thermal power project () 25,000 crore in Bhagalpur
Kosi -Mechi Interstate River Link Project Phase 1 () 2,680 Crore)
Namari Gange projects in Bhagalpur, including STP, blockage and diversion projects
Drinking water projects for Darbhanga, Katihar and Bhagalpur
Purnia Airport and these projects are expected to increase infrastructure, connectivity and development in eastern Bihar significantly.
(Tagstotransmit) Modi inaugurated Purnia Airport in Bihar