Students use Saharsa airport runway as makeshift exam centre
Patna: Bizarre but true! What the civil aviation ministry envisioned through its 'Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik' (UDAN) scheme did not include students using airport runways as makeshift exam centres.
In a viral video circulating on social media on Friday, around 300 students were seen studying and writing mock test papers on the runway of
Saharsa airport
.
This is not the first time the Saharsa runway has drawn public attention. Previous videos have shown locals using it for morning walks and even bike races.
Under the
UDAN scheme
, Saharsa airport received an allocation of Rs 25 crore for its development. The civil aviation ministry recently approved the Bihar govt's request to develop new airports in the state. The project evaluation committee (PEC) recommended the establishment of six small airports in Bihar, sanctioning Rs 25 crore for each in the first phase. In total, Rs 190 crore has been approved for the development of seven new airports across the state, including one in Purnia.
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In the latest video, head of a private coaching institute, is heard explaining the rationale behind using the airport runway. "We had no space on our campus to accommodate such a large number of job aspirants preparing for competitive exams, mainly for the police and army services. We will not use the space for such purposes once flights begin operating from the airport," he said, adding that other private coaching centres were also using the runway for similar purposes.
These academies typically begin by providing physical training to aspirants, both boys and girls, followed by written assessments to evaluate their preparedness. Due to the need for ample open space to accommodate 200-300 students, the institutes have turned to the vacant runway.
Written tests are held every Sunday. Students sit in neat rows directly on the tarmac, penning answers in exam-style conditions. The viral video clearly shows them seated in orderly queues, taking the tests.
Speaking to a television news channel, the coaching centre owner mentioned that physical training on the Saharsa airport runway has been going on for several years. "Now, we have started conducting written tests here as well," he added.
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