PURNIA, Sept. 6 -- In the run up to the 2015 Assembly elections in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised that even slippers-sporting Indians would avail flight services as flying would be that much affordable with new airports and developed infrastructure. It didn't, however, win the BJP election. But a decade later, the PM is returning to Bihar in a similar poll-bound time to inaugurate a civil airport in Purnia, Seemanchal, on September 15. The upbeat NDA seeks to cash in on promises and delivery in the last 10 years (2015-2025). The BJP in fact seeks to cash in on promises and their delivery in the last 10 years (2015-2025) to build its electoral fortune in the region that is inhabited by majority of Muslim minority and also it has been a traditional hub of RJD that claims to be and has been the first choice of Muslim voters. The new airport that the PM will inaugurate, locals feel, would uplift the profile of the region and generate new employment opportunities. Seemanchal region carries the stigma of being backward and ignored since independence and thus any development push here would be welcome. With a runway length of 2,800 meters (approx), the Purnea airport has the longest runway in comparison to other airports in Bihar like Patna, Darbhanga and Gaya Ji. The Purnea airport will be equipped with 'state-of-the-art' facilities and has been designed keeping in mind the passenger footfall for the next 30-40 years. A total of five aerobridges will be built at the airport, which will provide connectivity to passengers. It has a cargo complex, electric substation, aviation fuel farm, administration office, commercial plaza and car parking. "What Modiji promises, be sure, the same will be translated into reality," local party MLA Vijay Kumar Khemka said, adding "In a decade, people in general have realized the guts and significance of Modiji and his politics." He claimed, "Modiji's every word is heard with enthusiasm and 2025 is going to be quite different from 2015." In 2015, Nitish Kumar's JD(U) was with RJD and Congress in the grand alliance (GA) and the BJP along with LJP, RLSP and HAM (NDA) had contested elections. GA had then won 178 seats (RJD-80, JD(U)-71 and Congress-27) leaving far behind the then NDA to just 58 (BJP-53, LJP and RLSP two each and HAM one). "Now JD(U) is with us and again people have witnessed promises not being made only they are to be kept," Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal said, hoping, "The verdict will break all the previous records in 2025." On the other hand, Congress leader Neeraj Singh alias Chhotu Singh declared the civil enclave due to people's long agitation with the backing of all political parties. "This is not going to make any difference in the coming assembly election as resentment among the people against the existing government is quite reflected everywhere," he said. However, social activist Vijay Kumar Shreevasatava who has been leading the campaign for the airport for a decade believes it will certainly give an edge to the NDA in this region. "Yes, they (double engine governments) could have deferred it for an indefinite period into the labyrinth of promises," he said, asserting the NDA would get its benefit in the coming election. The first flight service between Purnia and then Calcutta (Kolkata) was introduced in 1956 and the same year it was discontinued. Later in 1963 Chunapur air force station came into existence against the backdrop of 1962's Chinese aggression. In 1976 air services started for civilians but it was once again discontinued in 1978. Again in 2012 at the initiative of the then wing commander of Chunapur air force station Vishwajeet Kumar, commercial flights between Purnia and Patna and Purnia and Kolkata had started; however, a year after in 2013 the services were discontinued. Here it is worth noting that in April 1933; two open-cockpit biplanes had taken off for the first time from Lalbalu about 10 km from Purnia district headquarters for the Houston-Mount Everest flight expedition, a historic mission that successfully flew over Mount Everest. It was significant for its scientific advancements in mapping, weather studies and aviation and then it had captured international headlines. Meanwhile, Star Air is ready to start its inaugural Ahmedabad to Purnia service on September 15 with flights beginning on September 29....