Bihar

• 21 Feb 2025

New Airport Approved in Bihar

Why in News? 

Recently, approval has been given by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the construction of a new airport at Bihta, Bihar. 

Key Points  

• About Bihta Airport: 
  • It will be constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 459 crore. 
  • The work of construction of the airport has been assigned to a Russian company. 
  • The target has been set to complete this airport by the year 2026. 
  • The Bihar government has allotted about 108 acres of land for the construction of the airport.  
  • Along with this, Danapur-Bihta elevated corridor is being constructed at a cost of about Rs 2000 crore, which is likely to be completed by the year 2026. 
• Benefits: 
  • This airport will be connected to Patna city and will also become a new air traffic hub for the entire Bihar and surrounding areas. 
  • This will enhance air connectivity between major cities, driving growth in business and tourism. 
  • The airport's construction will boost local employment, enhance passenger facilities, and make travel more affordable. 

Airports Authority of India (AAI) 

• AAI is a statutory body , constituted by an Act of Parliament on April 1, 1995. 
• Its headquarters is in New Delhi. 
• This authority constructs, upgrades, maintains and manages civil aviation infrastructure both on ground and in airspace . 
• At present, the AAI manages 137 airports, including 23 international airports, 10 customs airports, 81 domestic airports and 23 domestic civil enclaves in defence airfields. 
• It also provides air navigation services and operates a training institute for aviation professionals.
  

Buddhist Festival 2025

Why in News? 

A three- day Buddhist Festival 2025 was organized at the Kalachakra Ground in Gaya district of Bihar .    

Key Points  

• About the Festival: 
  • A glimpse of spiritual , cultural and tourism activities was seen in this Buddhist festival 
  • Apart from local artists, artists from 6 countries including Indonesia , Laos and Japan participated in it .   
  • A Buddhist film festival was also organized. For this, big filmmakers , writers etc. from many countries were invited.   
    • This film festival and arts festival was organised at Mahabodhi Convention Centre . 

Buddhist Festival  

• Buddhist Festival is an annual cultural and spiritual event , celebrated mainly in Bodh Gaya, Bihar . 
• This festival celebrates the teachings of Lord Gautam Buddha , Buddhism and its rich cultural heritage.  
• The Buddhist Festival was  first organised in the year 1998 . 
  • Bodhgaya is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment (Bodhi) , hence this place is very sacred for the followers of Buddhism.  
• This festival promotes the basic principles of Buddhism like non-violence , compassion , peace and meditation .  
• Thousands of devotees and tourists from India as well as Sri Lanka , Nepal , Bhutan , Japan , China , Thailand , Myanmar and other countries participate in it.