Rafale, Sukhoi, Hercules: Bihar Roads Set For Jet Landings With 3 Highway Airstrips Planned

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 17:33 IST

Bihar will build three highway emergency landing airstrips for fighter and transport jets near Nepal border, boosting air defence, disaster response and regional development

Even as recent conflicts in West Asia, particularly the US-Iran-Israel tensions, underline how airbases are prime targets in modern warfare, Bihar is moving to future-proof India’s air defence by developing three Emergency Landing Facilities (ELFs) on key highways.

The state is set to host strategically located highway airstrips capable of handling fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi and Jaguar, as well as transport aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules, ensuring operations continue even if conventional airbases are hit. Beyond defence, these facilities are also expected to serve as critical lifelines during natural disasters, enabling swift delivery of relief materials, especially in flood-prone regions of North Bihar.

The locations for these ELFs have been selected with a clear strategic focus, covering North Bihar and areas close to international borders.

The Patna-Purnia Expressway, a six-lane corridor spanning approximately 245 kilometres, is set to become Bihar’s first expressway with an integrated airstrip. Connecting the state capital to the eastern border region, a designated stretch of this expressway will feature a divider-free section with reinforced thickness, nearly three times stronger than standard roads, allowing fighter jet operations.

Another key project, the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway, which links Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, will include a major emergency runway within the Bihar stretch, extending roughly 417 kilometres. Located near the Nepal border, this facility is expected to significantly enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities along the northern frontier.

The third strategic corridor, Ramjanaki Marg, connecting Ayodhya to Janakpur in Nepal, will feature a 40-kilometre stretch with airstrip capabilities in Sitamarhi district. The proposed section between Bhittamod and Narhiya, situated close to the Nepal border, is expected to further bolster regional security infrastructure.

Experts note that constructing such dual-use infrastructure involves significant engineering modifications. These stretches, typically ranging from 3.5-5 kilometres, are built using specialised concrete and bitumen mixes to withstand the weight and speed of military aircraft. The zones are kept free from obstructions such as electricity lines, poles or trees, while advanced traffic management systems ensure swift clearance during aircraft operations. Provisions are also made for mobile air traffic control units and refuelling support when required.

India has already demonstrated the effectiveness of such infrastructure with successful fighter jet landings on expressways in Uttar Pradesh, including the Purvanchal and Agra-Lucknow corridors. With Bihar now joining this select group, the initiative is expected to not only enhance national security but also boost infrastructure development, investment prospects and employment opportunities in the region.

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