Bihar's Darbhanga Airport construction has been halted due to lack of experts in runway construction sector.
Speaking to ANI, a senior official of the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, "Government's ambitious project 'Sab Ude Sab Jude' is facing obstacles. The Darbhanga airport in Bihar has not been made operational because the ministry is unable to find professionals who can complete the construction of runways".
He further added, "It was an ambitious and popular project, and it was a long-standing demand of many in Bihar. We wanted this project to be completed by this year but now it seems impossible".
Darbhanga airport comes under the Indian Air Force and is part of the Centre's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). The government is still hopeful and wants this project to be completed before General Elections 2019.
The Ministry on July 10 informed that they were expecting to start the airport by January 2019. Regarding this, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha tweeted, "Reviewed the status of airports in #Bihar. We are committed to massively improving connectivity by starting more airports. Have requested the State Government to make a State Aviation Policy for Bihar".
"Assessed the status of the New Terminal at Patna's 2nd Airport at Bihta, Darbhanga & Gaya. Reviewed city-side requirements of infrastructure. Hope to start the Darbhanga Airport by Jan 2019 and add more flights to Gaya. -MoSCA @jayantsinha," the ministry said in another tweet.