Motihari: The long-pending expansion of Raxaul Airport near the India–Nepal border in East Champaran district has finally gathered pace, with the state govt releasing Rs207.70 crore for acquiring an additional 139 acres of land. The district administration has expedited payment of compensation to landowners, speeding up the work on this strategic brownfield project aimed at boosting border connectivity and strengthening the region’s economic and strategic profile.Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, special secretary of the civil aviation department, shared a map of the project recently, confirming that the layout is ready. “Runway expansion work will begin soon after the payment of compensation to farmers is completed. The redevelopment of Raxaul Airport will strengthen connectivity between India and Nepal and boost economic, business and social ties,” said an official of the department.
During his Samridhi Yatra last January, CM Nitish Kumar had directed district officials to speed up land acquisition for the development of Raxaul Airport, which will significantly improve air connectivity in the state’s border areas. The airport, built in 1962 during the India–China war on 153 acres of land, is being redeveloped as a brownfield project. Its runway will be extended to 2,360 metres — nearly 1,000 metres longer than the existing strip.According to civil aviation sources, the airport has been designed with strategic considerations, enabling Indian Air Force fighter jets such as Rafale, Tejas, Jaguar and MiG-29 to land during emergencies or military operations. After the expansion, larger passenger aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 will also be able to operate from here, paving the way for commercial flights connecting Champaran directly to major cities. The new layout includes a modern terminal building, an Air Traffic Control tower, and an airport colony with enhanced parking facilities.
