Construction of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is progressing ahead of schedule, and is likely to be inaugurated by September next year.
At the same time, 24 hours of flight operations will start from next month.
The construction work of the third terminal was supposed to be completed by April 8 at 32.7 percent. However, in reality it has ended at 34.6 percent. The construction work will be completed within the stipulated time.
State minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Mahbub Ali spoke to reporters in the capital's Kurmitola after inspecting the construction work of the third terminal on Monday.
He said, "Despite the pandemic, the construction of the third terminal at Shahjalal Airport has not stopped for a single day. Its work is ahead of its target. In the meantime, the progress of the work has exceeded 34 percent. Once the construction of the third terminal is completed, it will be possible to overcome the infrastructural limitations."
He said, "Passengers will get the same value at our third terminal which they get at Heathrow Airport in London or at the airport in Thailand. We will not compromise anything with our airport quality. '
The minister said the construction of the taxiway at the terminal would be completed within this month. It will be connected to the existing runway. As a result, no aircraft will have to wait after landing. And flight operations will continue 24 hours.
The connection of the third terminal with the elevated expressway and tunnel has not been resolved yet.
In this regard, Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh said the work is being delayed due to lack of coordination with the Road Transport and Highways Department.
The state minister said, “Work on the elevated expressway will begin in a few days, then the terminal will be connected to the expressway. The Prime Minister has directed to extend the tunnel to Ashkona Hajj Camp. Work is going as per her direction.”
The third terminal is being built in an area of 230,000 square meters, more than double the current two terminals. It will cost around Tk 23000 crore.
Additional Secretary (Planning) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Sukesh Kumar Sarkar, CAAB chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, and CAAB Chief Engineer Md. Abdul Malek among others were present at the briefing.
