The new civil enclave at Bihta, near Patna, is being built inside the existing Indian Air Force station. As of 13 October 2026, the most recent report we could find says the passenger terminal is only about 2% complete. It also says work at the terminal site has been stalled for four to five months. This comes from a Patna Press report dated 8 October 2026, which is a news report and not an official AAI statement.
The same report says a team linked to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) was set to review the project under the PRAGATI monitoring system. We could not find the result of that review. We also could not find an officially announced opening date for Bihta Airport.
Research verified on 13 October 2026. This page will go out of date as new reports and official updates appear.
Bihta Airport Construction Status at a Glance
| Project detail | What the sources show | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Bihta Air Force Station, Patna district, Bihar | Union Cabinet decision, 16 August 2024 |
| Responsible authority | Airports Authority of India (AAI) | Union Cabinet decision, 16 August 2024 |
| Approved cost of civil enclave | ₹1,413 crore (official) | Union Cabinet decision, 16 August 2024 |
| Terminal contract value | ₹459.99 crore (reported) | Patna Press, 2025 reports |
| Terminal progress | About 2% (reported, not officially confirmed) | Patna Press, 8 October 2026 |
| Apron, taxiway, boundary wall | Boundary wall on 108 acres reported complete; apron and taxiway work reported underway | Patna Press, 12 May 2026 |
| Completion target | Reported dates differ: 14 March 2027, April 2027, end of 2027 | Several reports, see below |
| Official opening date | Not confirmed in the sources reviewed | Checked on 13 October 2026 |
What Is the Latest Update on Bihta Airport?
The newest report is from 8 October 2026. It says construction of the new terminal has been under a high-level review because only around 2% of the work is done. It also says site activity has been limited to foundation-related work.
According to the same report, government monitoring data recorded 1.28% physical progress in April 2026. Earlier monitoring reports had shown about 1%. The report also says the review team will look at whether the terminal will stay within its planned size or whether changes are needed.
Please note that this is a single news report. We did not find a second independent outlet or an AAI statement confirming the 2% figure or the stoppage. The results of the PRAGATI review were also not available when we checked.
Timeline of key developments
- 16 August 2024: The Union Cabinet approved the new civil enclave at Bihta at an estimated cost of ₹1,413 crore. This is an official decision, reproduced from the Press Information Bureau on narendramodi.in.
- February 2025: AAI issued a letter of intent for the terminal and related works, according to a Swarajya news brief citing the Indian Express. The contract went to a Russian-Indian joint venture.
- 2025: Soil testing began as pre-construction work. A Patna Press report said full construction was expected to begin in May and the terminal to be operational by April 2027.
- 12 May 2026: A Patna Press report said apron, taxiway and boundary wall work was progressing, while terminal progress was a concern.
- 8 October 2026: The 2% progress report and the PRAGATI review were published.
Which Construction Work Has Been Completed?
Based on the May 2026 report, the boundary wall across 108 acres of land has been completed. Work on another eight acres of land acquired last year was said to be continuing. Boundary walls matter because they help meet airport security requirements.
The same report said the apron and the taxiways were being built. The apron is the area where aircraft park and passengers board. The taxiways connect the apron to the runway. According to project sources quoted there, nearly half of the taxiway lies on Air Force land, so the work needs coordination with the Air Force.
We could not find a reliable completion percentage for the apron or taxiways. The word "progressing" in a news report does not mean the work is finished.
What Construction Work Is Still Pending?
The terminal building is the main pending item. The October 2026 report places it at about 2% progress, which means almost all of it remains.
The Cabinet-approved scope also includes an apron with 10 parking bays and two link taxiways. The project also covers a utility building, an elevated road, and electro-mechanical, IT and security systems, according to reports on the AAI contract. A 2025 Patna Press report said separate tenders would be issued for apron link taxi bays, multi-level car parking and staff housing.
A runway extension from 8,000 feet to 12,000 feet was also reported as part of future plans, with more land acquisition needed later. We found no confirmation that this extension has started.
For the other components, the current status could not be established from the sources we reviewed. That is not the same as saying they are delayed.
Bihta Airport Project Cost and Approved Scope
The official figure is ₹1,413 crore, approved by the Union Cabinet on 16 August 2024. According to the government release, the project includes a new integrated terminal building of 66,000 square metres. It is designed for 3,000 peak-hour passengers and 50 lakh passengers a year. It can be expanded by another 50 lakh, taking the ultimate capacity to one crore passengers a year.
Several reports give a different total of ₹1,453 crore, including the May 2026 Patna Press report. We found no official document explaining the difference between ₹1,413 crore and ₹1,453 crore, so this article uses the Cabinet figure.
The terminal contract is a smaller part of the whole project. It was reported at ₹459.99 crore, made up of ₹438 crore for construction and ₹21.99 crore for operation and maintenance. Reports name the contractor as a Russian company, Joint Stock Company Industrial Association Vozrozhdenie, working with an Indian partner. These details come from news reports, not from an AAI document we could open.
Bihta Airport Expected Completion Date
Different reports give different targets, so no single date can be called final.
| Reported target | Where it appeared | Type of source |
|---|---|---|
| End of 2027 | Patna Press report on the AAI approval, 2025 | News report |
| April 2027 (terminal operational) | Patna Press, 2025 and 12 May 2026 | News report |
| 14 March 2027 | Patna Press, 8 October 2026, as the initial target | News report |
Some earlier explainers mentioned 2026 as the target. Those are older and should not be treated as current. We found no officially published revised completion date. Given the reported 2% progress, readers should treat all of these as targets and not guarantees.
When Will Bihta Airport Open?
No official opening date has been announced in the sources we reviewed. A completion target is not an opening date. Even after the terminal is built, the airport still needs testing, inspections, regulatory approvals, and airlines willing to operate from it.
These steps are separate: finishing construction, getting approvals, becoming ready for passengers, and starting commercial flights. Based on current reports, readers should not plan travel around Bihta Airport in 2027.
Bihta Airport vs Patna Airport
Patna's Jay Prakash Narayan Airport has limited room to expand. The Cabinet release says Bihta is meant to handle the expected saturation of capacity at Patna. Bihta is not a replacement. It is a civil enclave on an Air Force base, so civil flights share the airfield with the military.
| Feature | Patna (JP Narayan Airport) | Bihta (planned) |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal area | About 65,150 square metres | 66,000 square metres |
| Annual passenger capacity | About 1 crore | 50 lakh at first, up to 1 crore later |
| Status | New terminal inaugurated 29 May 2025 | Under construction; terminal about 2% (reported) |
The Patna figures come from Wikipedia's airport page, which is a secondary source. The Bihta figures are planned capacity under the Cabinet approval, not capacity available today.
Some reports also mention a proposed greenfield airport at Sonepur and say Bihta's final role is uncertain. One Patna Press piece even raised the question of a smaller terminal. We found no official decision on scaling Bihta down, so this remains unconfirmed.
Why Is Bihta Airport Important for Bihar?
The documented aim is to reduce pressure on Patna Airport. A second civil facility could add capacity, and the Danapur-Bihta elevated road is meant to improve road access from Patna.
Our own view is that the benefits depend on timely completion, airline interest and good road links. Planned capacity is not the same as passengers actually flying from Bihta.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current construction status of Bihta Airport?
The latest report, dated 8 October 2026, says the terminal is about 2% complete and work has been stalled for four to five months. Boundary wall work was reported complete in May 2026, with apron and taxiway work underway.
What is the latest official update?
The latest official document we found is the Cabinet approval of 16 August 2024. We did not find a newer AAI or ministry statement on progress.
When is Bihta Airport expected to be completed?
Reports give 14 March 2027, April 2027 and end of 2027. None of these is a confirmed date.
Has the official opening date been announced?
No, not in the sources we reviewed.
Which agency is developing the civil enclave?
The Airports Authority of India (AAI).
What is the approved project cost?
₹1,413 crore for the civil enclave, approved on 16 August 2024. Some reports quote ₹1,453 crore.
What facilities are planned?
A 66,000 square metre terminal, an apron with 10 parking bays and two link taxiways, as per the Cabinet release. Other reported items include a utility building, a service block, a fire station and an elevated road.
Where can readers find official documents?
Check the Airports Authority of India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Press Information Bureau websites. We could not open a Bihta-specific official progress report.
Final Summary
Bihta Airport has official approval, an awarded terminal contract and reported progress on boundary walls, the apron and taxiways. The terminal, which is the key part, was reported on 8 October 2026 to be only about 2% complete and stalled. No official opening date exists in the sources we reviewed, and the completion target has been reported in different ways.
The next things to watch are the findings of the PMO-linked PRAGATI review, any AAI statement, and any revised completion date or change in terminal size.