Lalmonirhat Airport, one of the largest airports of the country, remains unused for the last five decades as authorities failed to take any initiative to make it usable for boosting economic activity in the northern part of the country.
Locals, politicians and the representatives of civil society opined, if the airport reopened for the masses, it can tremendously contribute to the country's northern region’s economy and connectivity.
During the Second World War, the then British ruler built the ‘Lalmonirhat Airport’ on some 1,166 acres of land. In 1958, the airport had launched its operation for a short range of time. But later on, the airport remained closed for five decades. .
Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed, MP in 2019 visited Lalmonirhat Airport and announced the construction of the country’s first Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) there.
The government also announced plans to set up an aircraft repairing and maintaining facility at Lalmonirhat airport.
The initiatives created a boost to the long standing demand of the people of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat to reopen the airport.
If this airport could be brought back to life, experts said, the people of Nepal, Bhutan and India, can come to visit Bangladesh at minimum costs.
Locals said that the development activities in the region will get a tremendous boost, if the airport resumes its operation.
The Government has set up Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) at the airport in 2022 where study on the technologies of aircraft construction, repair, satellite construction and launching and aerospace research is being conducted.
Jatiya Party Chairman and lawmaker from Lalmonirhat-3 GM Quader said, “Lalmonirhat airport and Mogholhat landport will resume its operation soon.”
