The Commerce and Industry Ministry announced on Thursday that the Network Planning Group (NPG) had assessed two projects of the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the establishment of new civil enclaves at Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal, and Bihta Airport in Patna, Bihar, for their alignment under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan initiative.
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs last week approved the two projects, which will cost a total of Rs 2,962 crore.
A new civil enclave will be developed at Bagdogra Airport in the West Bengali district of Darjeeling as part of a Rs1,549 crore brownfield project. A new terminal building with the ability to accommodate 10 million people a year and an apron for 10 aircraft will be built as part of the development. Strategically situated in the “chicken neck” region, Bagdogra Airport is a vital entry point to the nation’s northeast, and its expansion is necessary to accommodate the area’s expanding connectivity requirements.
Similar to this, the Bihar brownfield project entails spending Rs. 1,413 crore to create a new civil enclave at Bihta Airfield, which is located 28 kilometers from Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna. This project involves a new terminal building that can accommodate five million passengers a year in addition to addressing capacity issues at Patna Airport. A 10-bay apron for A-321 aircraft is also part of the project, which aims to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and enhance regional connectivity.
The NPG also brought up the idea of creating a Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Nashik, Maharashtra, which would span 109.97 acres, for debate. This greenfield project will combine rail and road transportation, increasing the effectiveness of logistics, cutting expenses, and boosting local businesses by offering services like customs clearance, freight consolidation, and storage. From 2029 onward, the project is expected to carry 3.11 million metric tons of cargo yearly.
A critical road upgrade plan in Assam to a 4-lane NH-17, spanning a 44.56-kilometer stretch between Chirakuta (Bilasipara) and Tulungia, was also assessed at the NPG meeting. By connecting Assam to West Bengal, Meghalaya, and vital infrastructure like the Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Jogighopa and the airports in Rupsi and Guwahati, this project will improve regional connectivity. It is anticipated to greatly increase economic activity, shorten travel times, and ease traffic in the area.
NPG assessed the projects using the PM GatiShakti principles of intermodal connection, last-mile connectivity to social and economic hubs, integrated development of multimodal infrastructure, and coordinated project implementation. The official statement went on to say that the projects are anticipated to be crucial in nation-building, integrating different forms of transportation, and offering significant socio-economic benefits and convenience of living, all of which would contribute to the overall development of the regions.
