Gaya (Bihar):
Gaya International Airport is currently operating without a full-time director, raising concerns during the peak tourist season in Bodh Gaya. The airport’s director post has been vacant since the last week of October, following the transfer of former Director Bangjit Saha to Dibrugarh.
Interim Management
In the absence of a permanent appointment, Avadhesh Kumar is currently managing airport operations as Acting Director. While he maintains that operations continue smoothly, stakeholders fear that several key developmental and modernization projects are delayed.
Pending Development Projects
Airport sources report that projects such as the installation of a CAT approach light system for low-visibility landings, upgrading the Instrument Landing System (ILS), and runway expansion have been stalled due to the leadership vacuum. The airport currently has a runway measuring 2,286 meters in length and 30 meters in width, which is insufficient for wide-body aircraft. Experts recommend extending the runway by at least 500 meters in length and 15 meters in width.
Additionally, terminal expansion, enhanced passenger facilities, additional aerobridges, and upgraded international arrival/departure lounges, including immigration, customs, and security, are urgently needed to meet international standards.
Reactions from Stakeholders
The Bodh Gaya Hotel Association President Jay Singh called the absence of a permanent director a “sign of neglect,” while Magadh Industries Association President Anup Kedia demanded a speedy appointment of a regular director to ensure smooth operations during the tourist season.
Officials emphasized that, although interim management is handling daily operations, a permanent director is crucial for overseeing critical infrastructure and future upgrades at the airport.
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