Mod 7: Civil Aviation Expansion, Green Energy & Logistics Corridors

📖 Chapter 2 of 8 🧩 Module 8 of 14 ⏱️ ~2 min read 💡 19 MCQs

Topic Part 1 of 2

Aviation Infrastructure Push (2025–2026):

To eliminate travel bottlenecks and boost high-value trade, the Bihar Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) accelerated airport expansion across the state. The Budget 2025-26 officially approved land acquisitions and DPR preparations for two new greenfield regional commercial airports at Sultanganj (Bhagalpur) and Raxaul (East Champaran). Meanwhile, civil enclave construction gathered momentum at Purnia Airport and Bihta Airport, while Darbhanga Airport handled record passenger movements under UDAN.

Clean Energy Transition & Power Transmission:

Kajal Floating Solar Plant (Darbhanga): Expansion of floating solar plants over water bodies and wetlands across north Bihar.
Pumped Storage & Battery Storage: Reconnaissance of pumped storage hydro projects across Kaimur and Rohtas plateau scarps.
Smart Prepaid Metering Saturation: Bihar emerged as the first large state in India to cross 50 lakh installed Smart Prepaid Electricity Meters, significantly curbing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) power distribution losses to below 20%.

Exam View: Key Takeaways for Competitive Examinations:

New Greenfield Airports Announced: Sultanganj and Raxaul.
Civil Enclaves Under Construction: Bihta (Patna second airport) and Purnia.
Busiest UDAN Regional Airport: Darbhanga Airport.
Smart Prepaid Metering Leader: Bihar is the national pioneer in smart prepaid meters.

⭐ Key Points

New Greenfield Airports Announced: Sultanganj and Raxaul.
Civil Enclaves Under Construction: Bihta (Patna second airport) and Purnia.
Busiest UDAN Regional Airport: Darbhanga Airport.
Smart Prepaid Metering Leader: Bihar is the national pioneer in smart prepaid meters.

📌 One-line Q&A

New Greenfield Airports Announced: Sultanganj and Raxaul.
Civil Enclaves Under Construction: Bihta (Patna second airport) and Purnia.
Busiest UDAN Regional Airport: Darbhanga Airport.
Smart Prepaid Metering Leader: Bihar is the national pioneer in smart prepaid meters.

Questions 19 MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Which two new greenfield airports were sanctioned in the Bihar Budget 2025-26?

Sultanganj (Bhagalpur) and Raxaul (East Champaran) were announced for commercial regional airport development.

In which district was Bihar's first floating solar power plant commissioned?

Bihar's first floating solar plant of 2 MW was commissioned at Kadipur in Darbhanga.

Where was Bihar's second floating solar power plant inaugurated?

The second floating solar plant was set up in Supaul district.

Bihar became the first state in India to install over how many Smart Prepaid Electricity Meters?

Bihar is the nationwide pioneer in implementing smart prepaid metering, crossing over 50 lakh meters.

At which location near Patna is a major civilian commercial terminal being built to decongest Patna Airport?

Bihta is being developed as a modern international-ready civil enclave to supplement Patna's JP Airport.

Which airport in north Bihar emerged as one of India's most successful regional airports under the UDAN scheme?

Darbhanga Airport has handled record passenger traffic under UDAN regional connectivity.

What is the official operational name of Patna's existing primary commercial airport?

Patna Airport is named after Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan.

In which district is the historic Chunar–Son Nagar dedicated freight railway corridor node situated?

Son Nagar in Rohtas serves as a critical junction for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.

What is the name of Bihar's state nodal agency for renewable energy development?

BREDA oversees solar, biomass, and renewable programs across Bihar.

Which district in South Bihar has been identified for potential pumped hydro storage power stations?

The plateau scarps of Kaimur and Rohtas offer elevated hydraulic heads suitable for pumped storage hydro projects.

In which border town is an international land port / Integrated Check Post (ICP) linking trade with Nepal?

Raxaul ICP is the prime land trade gateway between India and Nepal.

Which two power distribution companies (DISCOMs) manage electricity supply in Bihar?

North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (SBPDCL) operate the distribution grid.

Where is the state's modern Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Factory established with French firm Alstom?

Madhepura Electric Locomotive Factory manufactures 12,000 HP high-capacity freight e-locomotives (WAG-12).

Where in Bihar is the Diesel Locomotive Manufacturing Factory established in collaboration with General Electric (GE)?

Marhaura in Saran district hosts the modern locomotive plant built in partnership with GE/Wabtec.

Where is Asia's oldest railway locomotive repair and maintenance workshop located in Bihar?

Jamalpur Railway Workshop was established in 1862 and remains a historic industrial facility.

Where is the railway carriage repair workshop located in Nalanda district?

Harnaut in Nalanda hosts the Carriage Repair Workshop for Indian Railways.

Which national waterway runs along the River Ganga through Bihar connecting Prayagraj to Haldia?

National Waterway 1 spans the River Ganga from Prayagraj to Haldia via Patna and Bhagalpur.

Where is the Multi-Modal In-land Cargo Terminal constructed along NW-1 in Bihar?

Gaighat (Patna) and Kalughat (Saran) host multimodal cargo terminals for cargo vessel handling.

By what margin did Bihar's electricity distribution loss (AT&C) drop following smart meter adoption?

AT&C losses have been compressed to under 20% due to digital billing saturation.

Question 1 of 19

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

New Greenfield Airports Announced: ______

Sultanganj and Raxaul.

Civil Enclaves Under Construction: ______

Bihta (Patna second airport) and Purnia.

Busiest UDAN Regional Airport: ______

Darbhanga Airport.

Smart Prepaid Metering Leader: ______

Bihar is the national pioneer in smart prepaid meters.