Darbhanga Airport comes under CISF cover as Bihar strengthens aviation security

Darbhanga Airport has formally come under the security cover of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), marking a significant expansion of India’s aviation security network in eastern India and reinforcing protection measures in the strategically sensitive Mithila region.

With the transition, Darbhanga becomes the 72nd airport in India and the third airport in Bihar, after Patna and Gaya, to be secured by CISF personnel. Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening aviation infrastructure security, improving passenger safety and preparing the airport for rising operational demands under the government’s regional connectivity push.

The induction ceremony took place at the airport premises in the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan, senior state officials, aviation authorities and security agencies.

Security deployment gains strategic importance

Authorities have deployed 145 CISF personnel in the first phase to manage specialised aviation security operations at the airport.

The deployment carries additional strategic significance because of Darbhanga’s proximity to the 729-kilometre Indo-Nepal border, an area where agencies have flagged concerns related to smuggling activity, transnational crime networks and emerging aerial threats including drone sightings.

Officials stated that the airport’s location requires a security structure capable of handling both civilian aviation risks and broader national security concerns.

Darbhanga Airport also functions as a civil enclave within an Indian Air Force station, making it a more sensitive operational zone than a standard civilian airport.

According to CISF officials, the security arrangement will include a multi-layered aviation protection framework covering:

• Advanced passenger and baggage screening
• Anti-sabotage checks
• Surveillance and monitoring systems
• Access control mechanisms
• Rapid emergency response procedures
• Perimeter security monitoring

Specialised units including Quick Response Teams (QRTs), Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) and explosive-detection K9 dog squads have also been deployed at the airport.

Fast growing airport under UDAN network

The CISF induction comes as Darbhanga Airport continues to emerge as one of the faster-growing regional aviation centres under the government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme.

Over the past few years, the airport has recorded sharp growth in passenger traffic, helping improve air connectivity across North Bihar and the Mithila belt. The airport has become an important transport link for business travellers, migrant workers, students and families travelling to major Indian cities.

Officials said the rising passenger volume and operational activity made it necessary to introduce a dedicated aviation security force with specialised airport management experience.

The airport’s growing importance has also increased its relevance in the region’s broader economic development plans, particularly in improving access to trade, healthcare, education and tourism.

Bihar government stresses security preparedness

Addressing the gathering during the induction ceremony, Samrat Choudhary said the government would not compromise on regional security given the sensitivity of the area.

The Chief Minister described the Mithila region as strategically important and said the CISF deployment would provide a stronger security shield for passengers and infrastructure.

Senior CISF officials said the force would continue focusing on secure yet passenger-friendly airport operations using professional manpower and technology-led systems.

Praveer Ranjan, Director General of CISF, said the force remains committed to globally benchmarked aviation security practices and modern surveillance capabilities at Indian airports.

Expansion of CISF’s aviation footprint

The addition of Darbhanga further expands CISF’s growing aviation security presence across India.

CISF currently secures some of the country’s busiest airports along with major industrial installations, metro networks, energy facilities and strategic infrastructure assets.

With Darbhanga’s inclusion, the force now protects 11 critical installations in Bihar, including airports and industrial units.

The expansion reflects the government’s increasing emphasis on specialised aviation security as India’s regional airport network grows rapidly under infrastructure modernisation and connectivity programmes.

Security analysts note that smaller regional airports are becoming increasingly important in India’s aviation ecosystem, particularly as passenger traffic shifts beyond metropolitan centres.

Aviation growth and security now moving together

The development highlights a broader trend in Indian aviation where regional connectivity expansion is increasingly being matched with higher security investments.

As airports in tier-two and tier-three cities handle larger passenger volumes and more frequent commercial operations, authorities are placing greater emphasis on surveillance systems, anti-sabotage capabilities and integrated response mechanisms.

Darbhanga’s transition to CISF security also reflects how regional airports are no longer viewed solely as transport assets but as critical infrastructure requiring national-level protection standards.

Officials believe the enhanced security framework could further support airline confidence, passenger trust and future operational expansion at the airport.

With aviation traffic expected to rise steadily across regional India over the next decade, Darbhanga is likely to play a larger role in North Bihar’s economic and transport landscape while operating under a significantly upgraded security umbrella.