Centre to decide airport in Nalanda: Nitish

Patna, Feb 21 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumartoday said though the state government had asked theauthorities to look for acquiring land in Nalanda district,it was for Centre to take a decision on the issue.

"We have asked the authorities concerned to look foracquiring land in Nalanda Pawapuri area for setting up a newairport there. But it is for the civil aviation ministry andAirports Authority of India to take a final view on theissue," Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of his janatadarbar programme.

Chief minister said the state government had earliersuggested to further expand the airport in Patna towardsPhulwari Sharif site but the proposal was not accepted byCentre.

He said there were a lot of difficulties in acquisitionof land for setting up airport in Bihta on the outskirts ofPatna.

Kumar said a proposal had already been sent to Centre forsetting up the new airport in Nalanda.

"We will order acquisition of land in Nalanda once theproposal is approved by Centre," he said.

Kumar said a team of experts from New Delhi would soonvisit Nalanda to inspect the proposed area for airport andhold official meetings in this connection.