New Delhi: In a bid to reduce tension between the Centre and Bihar over the threat to close down Patna Airport, Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain on September 4 asked the state government to cut the trees hampering safe landing.

Hussain spoke to the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Laloo Prasad Yadav on phone and asked him to ensure that the trees in the adjacent botanical gardens, which came in the way of the approach route, were immediately cut or pruned so that aircraft could land safely.

The minister told the RJD leader that "there is no political confrontation" between the Centre and the state government.

PTI