Bihar Additional Chief Secretary S. Siddharth briefing the media in Patna on Tuesday along with Nishith Verma, Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday approved the signing of an MoU between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the State government for developing six small airports under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme in the State.

The airports that would be developed are Madhubani, Birpur (Supaul), Munger, Valmikinagar (West Champaran), Muzaffarpur and Saharsa. The decision would pave the way for building airports and related infrastructure necessary for the development of these six airports, Cabinet Secretariat Department’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) S. Siddharth said.

The Cabinet has sanctioned initial allotment of ₹25 crore each for the development of six airports.

Earlier this month, the Cabinet also reduced the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from 29% to 4% on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which would enable the aircrafts to refuel at Patna. The decision was taken to increase the numbers of flights and make the state competitive on par with neighbouring States.

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated Patna airport’s new terminal built at the cost of ₹1,200 crore to boost tourism and handle one crore passengers annually. He had also laid the foundation for ₹1,410 crore civil enclave at Bihta Airport.

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The Cabinet also approved the extension of contract period for financial year 2025-26 for 1,717 Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel. These SAP personnel are retired Indian Army personnel.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to the transfer of 70.5 acres of land to Industries department, Bihar, Patna for the development of an industrial area. The land falls in Amnour circle of Saran district.

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