PatnaDaily.Com - Readers Write

Hon'ble Chief Minister,

We, the NRIs from Bihar, living in various countries, appreciate the present government's efforts on development of Bihar. We would like to be actively taking part in this process which needs visiting our State often. At present there is no direct flight to Patna from any neighboring country like Thailand, Gulf countries and Singapore. Whenever this issue is raised we hear that the Patna airport runway is small and land acquisition for proposed airport in Bihta is in progress.

Unfortunately for years there has been no progress in this regard to connect Patna to international airports in spite of three civil aviation ministers from Bihar in central ministry earlier. We had direct flight from Patna to Katmandu 30 years ago but even that service is not there any more. We believe that a large population of NRIs is facing hardships due to this neglect of the region, in comparison with other parts of India. A feeling of alienation that NRIs from Bihar currently have can be eliminated by bringing Patna on the international aerial map.

We request you to take up this matter with the Civil Aviation ministry, Govt. of India, to start a flight from Bangkok, Gulf region and Singapore to Patna, at the earliest. Direct flights to Patna will bring revenues to our state, with the large NRI population from Bihar preferring to reach their hometown much faster, and with greater convenience.

Comments:

I could not agree with more. - S. Ashraf Imam, Los Angeles, CA, USA - Feb 23, 2007

As far as I know from different news, the Bihar Government is planning for a new airport which will meet the national and international standards in real sense. I don't think the existing Patna Airport will qualify as per International Airport requirements. Per my experience, the Ranchi Airport and Bagdogra Airports are in much better shape then Patna Airport. Lets hope that the Nitish government will take this vital need very serious and start the new Airport Project very soon. - Naren Singh, India/USA - Feb 23, 2007

It is highly desirable that Patna Airport should be converted into International Airport or Bihta, as planned earlier should be made a place for International Airport. Now many many people of Bihar lives abroad, it is a must requirement. Moreover it will bring revenue and glory to Bihar. - T. S. P. Sinha, Jamshedpur - Feb 23, 2007

Time has come now to have Patna an international airport. Singapore Airline or Air India connection may be visible faster. - Biren Chowdhary, Orbit Travel, Newark, CA, USA - Feb 25, 2007

The Bihar government has a lot of priorities at hand right now. But it is time they act to bring Patna, Rajgir, and Vaishali on the international air map with international flights to Patna and connecting shuttle services to Gaya, Rajgir and Vaishali. This would increase the additional revenue and job creation opportunities thru increase in tourism as well as export from Bihar. We hope that honorable chief minister and his tourism minister treat it as one of the important priorities action item. - Man Singh, Danville, CA, USA - Feb. 25, 2007

In my opinion this is the demand of time. We face problems every time we visit India. As we need to go to either Delhi or Kolkata airport to catch our international flights. Having international flights from Patna will surely help if it can connect to neighboring countries. While on one hand it will generate local employment and contribute to the economy it will also attract tourists to Patna and boost tourism in Bihar. - Samir Kumar Mishra, Brisbane, Australia - Feb. 25, 2007

It is a very welcome suggestion. An international airport near Patna with other infrastructures also in the neighborhood will help NRBs & also attract a lot of tourists from Buddhist countries. However to attract airlines to operate flights other infrastructures are required to justify business. While Kolkata has not been able to attract many international flights, southern cities like Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore have attracted many direct international flights in recent years. Good roads connecting Buddhist circuit & major towns of Bihar is likely to attract more travelers. Connecting Patna with good roads to Delhi Kolkata Expressway and East West corridor will allow the state to reap the full benefits. - Mithilesh Kumar, Delmar, New York , USA - Feb. 25, 2007

Now, time has come when a large population of NRI face a problem to wait for a long time to reach his home town, sometimes as long as 24 hrs at Delhi or Kolkata airport. It is highly desirable that Patna Airport should be converted into an International airport and link some flight from Singapore, Bangkok or other Gulf countries. - Prashant Kumar - Feb. 25, 2007

It is an urgent and long pending demand of people of Bihar. It will save time as well as money of the passengers, earning of the state govt., and reputation of the state. It is not a difficult task if there is strong will on the part of govt. - Dr. Veda Vrat, Patna - Feb. 25, 2007

Well, we all agree that we need the Patna Airport to be an international airport so we all NRBI can have easy traveling to Bihar. I would like to throw a question to the group "What else we should do to make it happen and how can we contribute to the demand of our need?" Should we form any alliance with the authorities who could make it happen or should we find a connection which can persuade this matter to the CM? I would love to be a part of any solution we can find. If we all put our head together, hopefully we will be soon landing to our own Patna International airport. Thanks Sujay ji for bringing up a long pending and much needed question. - Rajiv Sinha - Feb. 26, 2007

A long felt need has been expressed here. Apart from airport and international connections it is also very much required to connect Patna with other cities of the country with no frills airlines, so that NRIs who are short of time and people in general from Bihar can save time in making visits to other distant parts of the country. - Kiran Kumar, Albany, New York, USA - Feb. 25, 2007

It was a nice experience to be at global meet. Organisers did a good job. I was amazed to see good response of the people. Everything good, but there is an area of concern to make it better and one of them is Patna Airport. I could see the rush in the flights. I would like to say that if Govt of Bihar improves the airport with facilities and international connectivity it would prove to be of great worth. First impression of the state is reflected from the airport, it has to improve. International connectivity is going to help in building up the airport with more modern services.

I would request Govt of Bihar to do something in this direction as first impression is the last impression. - Abhinav Sagar, Director, Bikram Yoga, Santa Clara, CA, USA - Mar. 1, 2007

Thanks for your support by publishing the letter in PatnaDaily. I got few responses as below:

Response from Jet Airways

Our Ref: BOM/CS/DL/210207/51967

26 February 2007

Dear Mr. Roy,

This has reference to your email dated February 22, 2007 and is further to our interim response of the same day.

We have taken cognizance of your suggestion to operate direct flights between Patna and Bangkok , Singapore and Gulf region sectors, and have shared the same with our Marketing Division who will certainly examine the commercial viability of such operations, keeping in mind our current aircraft fleet and the required clearance from the Authorities.

Mr. Roy, we thank you for communicating with us and sharing your views and we look forward to your support for Jet Airways.

Sincerely,

Diptan . B. Kachhi
Customer Relations
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Message from Sushil Kumar Modi
Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar

Dear Shri Roy,

I am in receipt of your mail requesting me to approach Civil Aviation Ministry, Govt. of India for having International Flights directly to Patna. I would bring your kind attention towards Gaya as there around half dozen International flights fly for various countries.

As far as matter is concern to Patna, the proposal is under process and land acquisition process is going on. I hope the matter will be resolved soon.

With best wishes,

Sushil Kumar Modi

Sujay Roy - March 2, 2007

Discussion on this topic is now closed.

International Flights to and from Patna