Patna: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has urged the state government to set up a budget hotel in the vicinity of Patna airport in the wake of its plan to start round-the-clock functioning of the airport from March 25 this year.

AAI official Shamim Khan put the request forward during the pre-budget consultation programme organised by the state government on Friday in which representatives of the central government undertakings had been invited to take part to place their suggestions and demands before the government.

The meeting was headed by deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who heads the finance department, and senior officials of the department, including finance principal secretary Sujata Chaturvedi and secretary (expenditure) Rahul Kumar Singh, were also present.

"Once the 24-hour operation commences at the airport, there would be a need for a hotel in its vicinity where passengers arriving late in the night, and who have to go to some other place after reaching Patna, could stay. We are requesting for a budget hotel because many fliers are from middle-income group and availability of such a hotel would suit their budget," Khan said.

The AAI official also came up with a suggestion to start bus services from Patna railway station and Mithapur bus stand so that passengers coming from outside Patna to catch a flight or those coming to Patna and who have to go to some other place could avail the service.

"Patna happens to be the only airport in the state and facility of this bus service, which should be provided on hourly basis, would be of great help to passengers coming from outside Patna to catch flights," Khan said, adding that those formulating the plan of Patna metro project should ensure that one metro station is made in the vicinity of the Patna airport.

Asked by the secretary (expenditure) about the works being done by the AAI to develop the Bihta airport, the AAI official said land would be handed over to the AAI next week and work would start after completing the proposed expansion work of the existing airport in Patna.

He also requested the government to look into the feasibility of providing 7.5 acre of Patna zoo land on Peer Ali Road beside the AAI to ensure optimal use of the runway of the existing airport.

A request for reduction in state taxes on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) was also made both by the AAI and the Indian Oil Corporation.

IOC representative Y.P. Singhal said because of higher tax charged by the Bihar government on ATF many operators hop their flights from Patna at Ranchi before sending it to other destinations because they get the ATF at cheaper rate there.

While Bihar imposes taxes at the rate of 29 per cent on the ATF, in Jharkhand it is just 4 per cent.

AAI representative supported the suggestion and said if taxes are reduced many operators would start more direct flights from Patna to destinations such as Bangalore and Mumbai.

Modi was seen taking note of the point.