BETTIAH, May 11 -- To strengthen tourism and regional connectivity, the state has initiated steps to transform a non-operational airstrip at Raxaul in East Champaran district into an airport along the Indo-Nepal border. The project is planned with a runway longer than Patna's Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport and will be equipped to handle jet aircraft operations. Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, a four-time Member of Parliament (MP) from West Champaran Lok Sabha constituency, told Hindustan Times that about 70% of the land required for the project has been acquired and that its tender will be floated soon. "The selected contractor will be required to complete the construction within 18 months while legal formalities will be taken up," he added. "The proposed airport would have a 2,360-metre-long runway which would be longer than Patna airport's 2,072-metre runway. What sets it apart is that the runway would be built over Tilawe river (hilly river) and the airport will be equipped for jet aircrafts' landing and take-off among other striking features," said Jaiswal, after his on-the-spot visit of the existing airport. Located about 204 km north of Patna, the airport at Chikani near Pantoka in Raxaul appears as a decrepit structure with a damaged runway. Over time, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has set up its camp here. Reports indicate that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) operated the airport from 1960 until it ceased operations in 1970. "A whopping 212 acres of airport land exists in our records, while 139 acres of land needs to be acquired. Of this, 40 acres of land acquisition is in its final stage while efforts are on to acquire the remaining land," said Manish Kumar, Raxaul Sub-Divisional Magistrate, adding that the project is unique due to its increased capacity and construction over a riverine stretch....