Bihar’s new Purnea airport uses porta cabins

Bihar got its fourth civilian airport on 15 September, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating a new interim terminal at Purnea. The state’s last airport was built in Darbhanga in 2020.

Built with Prefabricated Porta Cabins
Like Darbhanga, the Purnea airport has also been constructed using prefabricated porta cabins, while Patna and Gaya airports remain conventional concrete structures. Porta cabins are modular units, made of steel or polyurethane foam (PUF), manufactured in factories and installed on site. They enable quick operational readiness, a model already used in Darbhanga and Hindon (Ghaziabad).

UDAN Scheme Connectivity
Developed under the Centre’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, the airport will handle ATR aircraft, which are suitable for shorter runways and help keep fares affordable.

Boost for Seemanchal and Beyond
The new airport is expected to improve connectivity for the Seemanchal region of Bihar, benefitting districts like Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Bhagalpur. It will also serve Malda and nearby areas in West Bengal as well as Biratnagar, Itahari, Jhapa, and Morang regions in Nepal.