Airforce Station Purnea
Airforce Station Purnea (ICAO: VEPU) is located in Purnia in the state of Bihar, India. This is the base of Indian Air Force. This airport was built for supplies[1] to Indian Army in Sino-Indian War. This airbase is used as backup in the region of North East Corridor.
Purnea Airport  | |||||||||||
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_as_part_of_flood_relief_operations_being_undertaken_in_Bihar_on_August_04%252C_2014.jpg.webp) Indian Air Force MI-17 V5 Medium Lift Helicopter on standby at Air Force Station Purnea | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||
| Operator | Indian Air Force | ||||||||||
| Location | Chunapur, Purnia | ||||||||||
| Commander | LAC Smart | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 39 m / 129 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 25°45′35″N 087°24′36″E | ||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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Recent development
It has been selected in UDAN 4 scheme of the Government of India. Airport Authority of India has given official nod for flight operations though in bidding process none of Airlines shown interest. The Government of Bihar too unable to acquire whole 50 acres land for the construction of passenger terminal, VVIP lounge, cargo terminal and 3 acres for road connectivity which is incomplete due to various court cases flied by some farmers in Patna High Court . Runway is being repaired to facilitate landing of multiple flights. It will benefit the people of Eastern region of Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern Terai region of Nepal, especially Madhepura, Purnia, Katihar, Araria, Kishanganj, Bhagalpur, Sahibganj and Biratnagar. Recently the land acquisition has finished and the land is handed over to state aviation department.
References
- Piyush Tripathi (18 November 2016). "Indian Air Force: AAI, IAF joint team to visit Purnia airbase | Patna News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 January 2023.