DARBHANGA, June 15 -- The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has completed over 66% construction of the new terminal building under Darbhanga airport expansion project worth Rs.674.96-crore, officials said Sunday. Once operational, the airport's peak-hour passenger handling capacity will rise more than fivefold, from 550 passengers to 3,000 passengers. Spread over 52.65 acres, the upcoming terminal will have a built-up area of 62,800 sq m, a substantial increase from the existing 3,361-sq-m facility located on 4.72 acres. The facility is expected to rank among the most modern airports in eastern India and strengthen air connectivity across north Bihar and Mithila region. According to airport director Dilip Kumar, the project attained 66.5% physical progress, while expenditure of Rs.380.75 crore, accounting for 59.19% financial progress, has been incurred so far. Construction began on July 12, 2024, and the new terminal is scheduled for completion by November 30, 2026, he added. The project features 40 check-in counters, nine security screening counters, five aerobridges, 10 escalators, 12 lifts and four baggage carousels. Besides, Darbhanga airport will have a dedicated cargo terminal spread over 860 sq m, with an annual handling capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes and a peak handling capacity of 80 metric tonnes. It incorporates sustainability features like a 650-kW solar power plant, four EV charging stations, rainwater harvesting systems, an integrated building and energy management system, a 1,150-KLD sewage treatment plant and a solid waste management facility. Parking facilities will accommodate 250 cars and five buses while seven aircraft bays will be available for parking. Among major components nearing completion are the elevated bridge and tunnel works, both of which have reached 98% completion. Civil works for the powerhouse and air-conditioning plant stand at 95%, while construction of the sewage treatment plant has achieved 80% progress. Meanwhile, apron development has reached 59%. Airport authorities are also observing several programmes as part of Yatri Suvidha Diwas on June 15, with passenger-centric initiatives including a traditional Mithila welcome for travellers, cultural programmes, tree plantation drives, health camps, recognition of frontline workers and dedicated passenger engagement activities. It has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regional airports in eastern India, providing direct connectivity to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Civil aviation operations at the airport, an IAF station, commenced on November 8, 2020. CISF was also deployed here in May. Currently operating from a space-constrained terminal, the Darbanga airport has recently introduced several amenities for travellers such as an X-BIS machine, a play area for children, mobile charging stations, laptop workstations, Wi-Fi connectivity and a "Flybrary"....