Jitna—a poor peasant who struggles for survival in noted writer Phanishwar Nath Renu’s “Maila Anchal”—could not believe his eyes to see Purnea, a district once marked with dusty paths where bullock carts creaked, painting a picture of despair and grinding poverty, has now been catapulted to the national map of aviation, taking off for a new era of growth. Now, there are so many Jitnas of the current AI-driven era who could take UDAN with Hawai Chappal in Hawai Jahaj, and for them, the sky is the limit for opportunities.
Aviation connectivity serves as the backbone of India’s economic progress. The Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has placed high priority on regional air links to build a wide-ranging aviation network that drives growth, draws visitors, and creates jobs. The fresh opening of Purnea airport has unlocked doors for Seemanchal, Bihar’s most underdeveloped area. For Bihar, heading into elections, this counts as a major gift from PM Modi, who rolled out projects adding up to Rs 40,541 crore in the state. Purnea marks the fourth airport in Bihar, joining Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga.
This new airport stands as a key gain for Seemanchal, where better air links will lift tourism, business deals, and work prospects. Close to two crore people from Seemanchal, Kosi, Bhagalpur divisions, nearby parts of West Bengal, and even Nepal stand to gain. Built under the UDAN plan, the facility promises stronger ties between regions, fresh chances, and a likely surge in Makhana business for eastern Bihar and further afield. Purnea leads the country in Makhana output, and the airport adds momentum to this crop, especially after PM Modi’s rollout of the National Makhana Board. This step will also carry local goods like jute and bananas to global markets.
The UDAN scheme, or Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik, kicked off on October 21, 2016, and has pushed the count of working airports from 74 in 2014 to over 160 by 2025. This growth unlocks potential for young Indians, making the idea of Hawai Chappal in Hawai Jahaj ring true, allowing easy trips to distant spots.
As UDAN steps into its ninth year, the program has hit big targets. More than 1.49 crore travellers have used low-cost regional flights. Around 3 lakh UDAN flights have run nationwide. The airport setup grew from 74 in 2014 to 159 by 2024, with further jumps in 2025.
The Purnea airport, finished in under five months, saw its first commercial flight take off right after the opening on September 15. This interim terminal boosts handling of passengers and links Seemanchal straight to big cities like Kolkata, with plans for Delhi and Ahmedabad soon. IndiGo has started services, cutting travel time and costs for locals who once faced long road or rail trips. This fits the UDAN goal of serving areas off the beaten path, where air travel was a distant dream.
Beyond the airport, PM Modi’s visit brought a wave of schemes. A 2,400 MW power plant at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur, costing Rs 25,000 crore, uses clean tech to shore up Bihar’s power supply. The first phase of the Kosi-Mechi river link, at over Rs 2,680 crore, will water farmlands, check floods, and aid crops in the northeast of the state. Rail works include the Araria-Galgalia line worth Rs 4,410 crore and groundwork for the Vikramshila-Kataria track at Rs 2,170 crore. New trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat were flagged off, linking districts better. A sex-sorted semen unit under Rashtriya Gokul Mission in Purnea will make 5 lakh doses a year, helping dairy farmers raise output.
The National Makhana Board, set up with Rs 475 crore, targets better farming methods, processing, and sales. Bihar makes 90 per cent of India’s Makhana, with Purnea, Madhubani, and Darbhanga as main hubs. The board will train growers, upgrade tools, and push exports, turning this superfood into a cash earner. With the airport, shipping Makhana, Jute, and bananas becomes quicker, opening doors to buyers across India and abroad. This could add jobs in packing, transport, and sales, lifting families out of hard times.
Seemanchal, long hit by floods, poor roads, and few factories, now eyes a turnaround. The airport and linked projects tackle these woes head-on. Tourism might pick up, with spots like ancient temples and river sites drawing crowds. Trade in farm goods will grow, as quick flights mean fresh produce reaches markets fast. Jobs in building, running the airport, and new businesses could employ thousands. Even Nepal’s border areas gain from easier links, boosting cross-border deals.
UDAN goes beyond just a plan. By linking the skies between rural Bharat and urban India, it seeks to make air travel open and cheap for everyone. It has brought the skies closer to countless Jitnas from the world of Maila Anchal, symbolising the underprivileged rural masses. Run by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, this main program has changed India’s regional flight scene. It has pulled far-off places onto the national air grid and sparked local business, lifted tourism, and built jobs countrywide. Though Bihar faces election heat, the Purnea airport puts Seemanchal on the path to progress, free from policy snags no matter the new government.
