The state cabinet in Bihar has given the green light for six new airports to be built, connecting more cities by air. Officials say an agreement will be signed with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for this.

These new airports will be set up in Madhubani, Birpur (Supaul), Munger, Valmiki Nagar (Bettiah), Muzaffarpur, and Saharsa. They are part of the Central government's UDAN scheme, which aims to improve regional air travel.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet approved a plan for the state's Aviation Directorate to sign a deal (MoU) with AAI to develop these airports.

S. Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary, told reporters that Rs 150 crore has been set aside, with Rs 25 crore for each airport. This decision comes just a few months before the state's assembly elections.

The cabinet also approved giving a contract to Kumar Infratrade Enterprises Ltd to build a five-star hotel near Income Tax Golumber in Patna.

He added that this hotel will be built through a public-private partnership (PPP), and the land will be leased for 90 years. The process to finalize bids for two more five-star hotels in Patna, one near Bankipore Bus Stand and another near R Golumber, is also underway.