Patna, May 19 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday chaired two high-level meetings at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, focusing on India–Nepal border management and the expansion of civil aviation infrastructure in the state.

At a review meeting held at the ‘Samvad’ auditorium, the Chief Minister assessed security arrangements along the India–Nepal border, describing it as a highly sensitive zone.

Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit informed that a high-level meeting on border security had earlier been held on February 26–27 under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and presented a compliance report on directives issued during that meeting.

Emphasising strict implementation, the Chief Minister directed officials to strengthen surveillance and security infrastructure along the border, use advanced technology for monitoring activities, maintain heightened vigilance against suspicious movements, crack down on narcotics trafficking and counterfeit currency, and smuggling.

He made it clear that no laxity would be tolerated and called for robust enforcement against all illegal activities in border areas.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai and other senior officials were present during the meeting.

In a separate meeting at the ‘Sankalp’ auditorium, CM Choudhary reviewed aviation projects with officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Bihar’s Civil Aviation Department.

A detailed presentation by department secretary Nilesh Ramchandra Deore highlighted key initiatives, including airport modernisation, expansion of air connectivity, strengthening security infrastructure, and implementation of the UDAN Scheme.

Senior official Samir Kumar Sinha provided inputs on runway expansion and capacity enhancement at Patna Airport.

Some of the key proposals discussed included runway expansion and capacity enhancement of Patna Airport, granting international status to Darbhanga Airport, Ajgaibinath Dham Greenfield Airport project, permanent civil enclave at Purnea Airport, development of airports in Muzaffarpur, Valmikinagar, Saharsa, and Birpur, upgradation of Forbesganj Airport, and inclusion of more airports under the UDAN scheme.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Bihar’s aviation sector is growing rapidly and outlined an ambitious goal to increase air connectivity tenfold within the next five years.

“We are preparing a roadmap to connect all districts through air services. Bihar must emerge as a regional aviation hub in eastern India,” he said.

He directed officials to expedite work on Patna Airport expansion and assured full cooperation with the central government.

–IANS

ajk/uk