PM Modi inaugurates Purnea Airport and unveils ₹36,000 crore projects in eastern Bihar, aiming to boost NDA’s presence in a politically key region.
New Airport in Purnea: A Game-Changer for Seemanchal
As Bihar heads toward a critical election season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kickstarted a development wave with the inauguration of a brand-new airport in Purnea, located in the politically vital Seemanchal region.
This launch is part of a ₹36,000 crore development package aimed at boosting infrastructure, connectivity, and economic activity across eastern Bihar—an area where the BJP is seeking to expand its influence ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.
Why the Purnea Airport Matters
The Purnea Airport fills a major infrastructure gap in eastern Bihar. Until now, districts like Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Purnea had no direct air connectivity. Residents had to travel hours to Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, or even Bagdogra in West Bengal for flights.
Key Benefits:
- Direct air access for millions across 6+ districts
- Boost to local industries, especially makhana and corn
- Potential for future international airport status
- Enhanced logistics and tourism opportunities
Other Key Projects Unveiled by PM Modi
Alongside the airport, PM Modi announced a host of infrastructure and connectivity projects:
Railway Projects:
- Vande Bharat Express: Connecting Jogbani (Araria) to Danapur (Patna)
- Amrit Bharat Train: Linking Bihar to Tamil Nadu
- New railway lines across Seemanchal region
Flood Control Measures:
- Long-standing flood issues in Seemanchal to be addressed via new anti-flood initiatives.
- Expected to reduce annual damage and improve agriculture resilience.
These projects aim to enhance mobility, reduce isolation, and foster regional development—key talking points for the NDA’s campaign.
Seemanchal: Bihar’s Political Battleground
The Seemanchal region has always been politically sensitive:
- 24 Assembly seats across four districts
- 2020 Election:
- Mahagathbandhan (RJD + Congress): 10 seats
- NDA: 9 seats
- AIMIM: 5 seats
- 2024 Lok Sabha:
- Congress: 2 seats
- BJP: 1 seat (Araria)
- Independent (Pappu Yadav): 1 seat (Purnia)
The BJP is aiming to swing public sentiment in its favour by addressing long-standing regional demands.
NDA Unity on Display
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JDU is an NDA ally, was present at the Purnea event, signaling a show of unity. The JDU also enjoys a strong support base in Seemanchal, especially among OBC and Muslim voters.
This comes at a time when the region is debating issues like:
- Waqf Amendment Act
- Voter roll revisions
- Community-based development gaps
Opposition Reacts: “Poll Gimmick”
The Congress and RJD, part of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, have slammed the timing of the announcements.
“The people of Seemanchal know these faces. Plans are being announced at the time of elections. This is a fraud,” said Congress leader Kumar Aditya.
Yet the impact of the airport and other developments could shift ground realities ahead of polls.
Will Development Tilt Seemanchal Toward NDA?
With AIMIM cutting into secular votes and NDA banking on infrastructure-driven goodwill, Seemanchal may once again prove to be kingmaker territory.
Whether this development wave will translate into electoral gains for the BJP-JDU alliance remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Seemanchal is at the heart of Bihar’s 2025 political narrative.
