"There is no airport there for the last 30 years...There is no demand for any airline...I do not feel that there is any possibility for operations there," Singh said amid vociferous demands for it from members from Bihar.
Raising the issue, Sabir Ali (JD-U) said that long back, the Aviation Ministry had announced opening of an airport at Raxaul but the reply of the minister today has reversed the earlier position.
At this, Singh said for last 30 years there is no airport for flights connecting Raxaul but expressed his readiness to "discuss" the matter. He asked the member to bring the data with him in this regard when he insisted that there was "huge traffic" for airlines in the area.
The minister agreed with the members' contention that Raxaul located on Nepal border is a "sensitive" and important location.
Upendra Kushwaha (JD-U) said the land where the airstrip is located can be used for other activities as there was a proposal for opening a training centre there.
Ravishankar Prasad (BJP) said an air operations are needed at Raxaul as people have to either go to Kathmandu or Patna to catch a flight.