BETTIAH, July 12 -- Giving a boost to the proposed upgradation of the existing airstrip into a full-fledged airport at Valmikinagar, the West Champaran district administration on Saturday secured the consent of 15 identified landowners for the acquisition of land required for the airport in West Champaran, officials said. In an official statement, issued on Saturday, the district administration said of the 18 landowners, the consent of the 15 have been secured under the state's land purchase policy for acquiring the required land for the acquisition of land at a three special camp which began on July 11. The expansion plan includes the construction of a new terminal building and extension of the airport on its southern side. "Efforts are underway to secure the approval of the remaining three within the stipulated timeframe," said the statement. Aiming to enhance tourism and improve access to the scenic Valmikinagar landscape, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has set the ball rolling to upgrade the existing airstrip into a full-fledged airport at Valmikinagar in Bihar's West Champaran district. The agency has already prepared a detailed master plan for the project....