Tk 47.63 Cr Network Project for Shahjalal Airport T3: ECNEC Approves 8 Projects Worth Tk 14,041 Cr

The government has undertaken a specialized telecommunications initiative to ensure uninterrupted, high-speed mobile network services for passengers and operational agencies at the newly constructed Terminal 3 of Hazat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). Executed by state-owned Teletalk Bangladesh Limited, the Tk 47.63 crore project begins this year and is scheduled for completion by June 2027.

The initiative was reported during the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting held on Wednesday (July 22) at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The ECNEC meeting officially approved 8 major projects with a total outlay of Tk 14,041.21 crore, alongside acknowledging 11 smaller projects (costing under Tk 50 crore) approved independently by the Planning Minister.

 According to the Posts and Telecommunications Division, HSIA handles an annual capacity of approximately 18.5 million passengers. However, due to dense concrete structures, metallic frameworks, and security restrictions across Terminal 3 and cargo terminals, standard signal penetration from external towers remains limited. This has led to issues such as call drops, low data speeds, and network congestion in key indoor areas including immigration, baggage halls, check-in counters, VIP lounges, and aprons.

Because security protocols prohibit constructing new external towers or open-air BTS stations, the project will implement an Active Distributed Antenna System (Active DAS) for indoor coverage. This setup will deliver robust 4G and 5G network coverage, enhanced data handling capacity, and high-quality international roaming capabilities.

Major Projects Approved by ECNEC: Attended by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury along with other senior cabinet members and government officials, the ECNEC meeting approved 8 key projects funded by Tk 10,494.21 crore from government funds and Tk 3,550.44 crore from project loans.

The major approved projects include the following:

• Local Government Division: Universal Social Infrastructure Development-2 (1st Revision), Integrated Development of Greater Dinajpur, and Rural Road Maintenance & Employment Project.

• Road Transport & Bridges: Construction of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway (2nd Revision).

• Power & Energy: Power Distribution System Improvement in Sylhet Division (3rd Revision), and drilling of 3 appraisal and exploration wells (Begumganj & Sunetra).

• Health & Disaster Management: Upgrading kidney dialysis centers to 50 beds in medical college hospitals & installing 10-bed units in district hospitals (2nd Revision), alongside the Construction and Development of Disaster Shelters (3rd Revision).

Furthermore, the meeting was briefed on 11 smaller projects, including regional office setups for National University, transmission infrastructure for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and the Teletalk mobile network deployment at Shahjalal Airport's Terminal 3.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury; Local Government and Rural Development Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir; Industries, Textiles and Jute and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir; Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman; Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu; Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud; Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie; State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam; State Minister for Planning Md. Jonayed Abdur Rahim Saki and other senior government officials attended the meeting.
//DBTech/SHT/SME//