Terminal Tensions: PM Directs Launch of HSIA’s Third Terminal
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to move forward with the launch of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The information was disclosed by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam following a high-level meeting.
The meeting was held on Sunday, February 22, at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Secretariat, chaired by the Prime Minister. Among those present were Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique.
When asked by journalists about the possible timeline for the terminal’s inauguration, Minister Afroza Khanam stated that no specific date could be announced at this stage. She said discussions and investigations would continue to determine how the process could be expedited. However, she emphasized that it was not yet possible to provide a definite timeframe.
Responding to questions about why the terminal has not yet been opened despite more than 99 percent of the work being completed — along with recommendations for partial demolition and previously reported network issues — the minister remarked that the matter dated back to the tenure of the interim government and that such questions could have been directed to them. She added that the Prime Minister is now actively working to ensure the terminal becomes operational soon and has issued relevant directives in this regard.
Meanwhile, when asked whether there was any encouraging development concerning the third terminal, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury said that officials had briefed the Prime Minister and received several instructions, which would guide their next course of action. He added that a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador was scheduled for the following day. He also noted that a new minister has joined the aviation ministry and is currently reviewing the longstanding six-year-old issue.
Regarding speculation over whether a new tender process would be initiated for operating the terminal, the BIDA Chairman said he was not in a position to comment, describing it as a government-to-government (G2G) matter.
Background of the Project
The construction project for the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on October 24, 2017. Initially, the estimated cost was set at Tk 13,610 crore. Later, an additional Tk 7,788.59 crore was added, bringing the total project cost to approximately Tk 21,398 crore. Construction officially began in December 2019. The majority of the funding is being provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The terminal is being constructed under the Dhaka Consortium, comprising Japan’s Mitsubishi and Fujita, along with South Korea’s Samsung.
Mobile Network Dispute
It has been learned that at least 18 rounds of correspondence took place among relevant parties regarding the installation of mobile network infrastructure at the third terminal. For three years, mobile operators have been engaging with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) over the issue. However, when CAAB proposed appointing a third party to install the mobile network infrastructure, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) protested the move, arguing that such a plan would not be realistic. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has also stated that under existing law, no entity other than licensed operators is permitted to install mobile network infrastructure.
DBTech/DRO/EK/OR
