Patna: Bihar’s airport expansion, highway connectivity and rich cultural heritage came under detailed review here on Monday as Rajya Sabha member and JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha chaired three important meetings of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on transport, tourism and culture.“The discussions covered some of the state’s major infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Patna, Darbhanga, Purnia and Gaya airports, four-lane connectivity to Darbhanga and Purnia airports, ongoing National Highway projects and the preservation of Bihar’s traditional art and culture,” Jha said.At the first meeting attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Bihar govt departments, officials presented the latest status and expansion plans of the state’s major airports. The committee also reviewed plans for proposed greenfield airports in Sonepur and Bhagalpur, and other development of brownfield airports and discussed measures to improve air connectivity across Bihar.At another separate meeting, Bihar’s cultural identity received attention during the deliberations. Senior officials from the Ministry of Culture and state govt departments, along with prominent artists from Bihar, briefed the committee on efforts to preserve and promote traditional dance, painting, handicrafts and other art forms. The availability of training facilities for artists and future plans for their development were also discussed, with the Mithila Painting Institute emerging as an important focus area.At the third meeting, state’s road infrastructure was another major focus, with officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI, Bihar Road Construction Department and other departments presenting updates on NH projects. The committee reviewed highway maintenance, ongoing construction and plans for new roads, besides examining the progress of four-lane links to Darbhanga and Purnia airports and the status of bridges already constructed or proposed across the state.Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee put forward several suggestions to speed up major projects and improve coordination between the Centre and state departments. The discussions underlined the need for stronger connectivity alongside greater efforts to protect and promote Bihar’s distinctive cultural heritage.After the meetings, a delegation of 18-members of the committee also visited the historic Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in Patna, where they viewed its collection of rare manuscripts. Established in 1891, the library houses manuscripts and books in several languages and is now expanding its digital collection, with more than 2,000 manuscripts available digitally. Discussions were held on its preservation, modernisation and further development.
