The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) formally assumed responsibility for security at Darbhanga airport on Thursday, deploying 145 personnel in a significant move to bolster aviation security in North Bihar. The handover ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan, and senior state and civil aviation officials.
Strategic Importance of Darbhanga Airport
Describing the occasion as a “historic day,” CM Samrat Choudhary noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had advocated for conducting programmes via videoconferencing to save fuel and strengthen the economy. The CISF highlighted that Darbhanga airport holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the India-Nepal border and emerging threats such as smuggling networks and drone activity in border areas. The airport functions as a civil enclave within an Indian Air Force station, making specialised aviation security essential.
Deployment of Specialised Units
The force has deployed quick response teams, bomb disposal squads, and sniffer dog units trained in explosive detection. Darbhanga becomes the third airport in Bihar to come under CISF protection, following Patna and Gaya, and the 72nd airport in the country under the force’s security cover.
Chief Minister’s Remarks on Connectivity
Speaking at the event, CM Samrat termed Nitish Kumar the “architect of modern Bihar” and credited him for transforming connectivity in the state. Recalling his own experience, Samrat said that in 2000 it took nearly eight hours to travel from Patna to Jaynagar, but improved roads have drastically reduced travel time. He noted that air connectivity in Bihar had expanded nearly tenfold. “In 2005, around five lakh people travelled by air. Today, nearly 50 lakh passengers use air services, and the target is to increase this to 4-5 crore travellers in the next five years,” Samrat said.
Future Airport Development Plans
He added that tenders had been floated for airports in Muzaffarpur, Raxaul, Saharsa, and Birpur, while Purnea airport had already become operational. Airports, airstrips, and helipads would also be developed depending on local requirements, he said.
Darbhanga MP Gopal Ji Thakur described the airport as a “blessing” for north Bihar, while JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha said Darbhanga stood out among regional airports because of its consistently high passenger traffic and growing connectivity with metro cities.
