Civil Aviation Minister inaugurates Bhagwan Birsa Munda statue, passenger facilities at Ranchi airport
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday inaugurated a series of passenger-centric and culturally themed facilities at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, including a statue and feature wall dedicated to tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth along with senior officials from the aviation sector and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The newly launched facilities include the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Feature Wall with Statue, UDAN Yatri Café, AVSAR Counter, Kids Zone, and Flybrary. The feature wall and statue have been designed to showcase Jharkhand’s cultural heritage and honour Bhagwan Birsa Munda, widely revered as “Dharti Aaba.”
Addressing the gathering, Naidu said airports should serve not only as travel hubs but also as reflections of the identity, culture, and spirit of the states they represent.
“Every passenger arriving at Ranchi Airport will now be welcomed by the inspiring legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji and introduced to the soul of Jharkhand,” the minister said.
Highlighting the growth of India’s aviation sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister stated that the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 165 today.
He said Jharkhand has also witnessed major aviation growth over the past decade, with annual passenger traffic increasing more than fivefold since 2014, aircraft movements rising over three times, and air cargo volumes recording nearly threefold growth.
Speaking about future expansion plans, the minister announced that 100 new airports and 200 heliports will be developed across the country under the modified UDAN scheme, with special focus on tribal regions and aspirational districts.
He said Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) operations have already started at Jamshedpur Airport, while airports at Dumka, Hazaribagh, Daltonganj, Dhalbhumgarh, and Chaibasa are planned for development under the scheme.
The minister also highlighted the rapid rise in passenger traffic at Ranchi Airport, noting that annual passenger numbers have grown from 17 lakh to more than 27 lakh in the last five years.
To meet increasing demand, a comprehensive expansion and reconfiguration plan has been prepared for the airport terminal. Under the proposal, the Domestic Security Hold Area will be expanded to 6,480 square metres, increasing the airport’s peak-hour passenger handling capacity to 2,160 passengers.
Infrastructure upgrades including a Parallel Taxi Track, Rapid Exit Taxiway, and two additional aircraft parking aprons are also planned to improve operational efficiency and runway capacity.
“We are committed to connecting Ranchi with global destinations and creating new economic opportunities for Jharkhand,” Naidu said.
The minister said the newly launched UDAN Yatri Café aims to provide affordable food and beverages to travellers, while the Flybrary initiative has been introduced to encourage reading and improve passenger experience during travel.
An AVSAR outlet – Airports as Venues for Skilled Artisans of the Region – has also been established at the airport to promote local and tribal artisans of Jharkhand. The outlet will showcase traditional art forms, including Sohrai paintings, in line with the government’s “Vocal for Local” initiative.
A dedicated Kids Zone has also been created within the airport premises to offer a safe recreational space for children and make travel more convenient for families.
Civil Aviation Ministry said that AAI is working towards transforming airports into integrated travel hubs that combine operational efficiency, passenger comfort, accessibility, and regional identity.
