Dhaka: The government has sought Tk 902 crore to complete the remaining works and operationalise the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat informed Parliament today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Minister Millat, responding to a supplementary question from NCP lawmaker Abdul Hannan Masud (Noakhali-6), revealed that the third terminal was declared completed by the previous administration, yet crucial components, including machinery integration and related Airport Development and Construction (ADC) works, remained unfinished. Initially estimated at around Tk 13,000 crore, the project's cost underwent several revisions, eventually reaching Tk 21,600 crore.
Minister Millat explained that upon taking office, they discovered that although the terminal building had been inaugurated, the essential integrated facilities were incomplete. "The machines had arrived, but no integration had been done. The other ADC works related to it had also not been completed," he stated. Describing the terminal as an asset valued at approximately US$2.1 billion, he emphasized the importance of operationalising it promptly to prevent significant national losses.
The government has determined that Tk 902 crore is needed to cover outstanding payments and complete the necessary works to operationalise the third terminal. The minister assured that this calculation was made transparently and accurately. He also stated that the government has approached the Planning Ministry for approval and that steps are being taken by the Finance Ministry to arrange the allocation.
Once operational, the terminal is expected to significantly increase passenger-handling capacity and revenue. "At present, we can handle around 1.2 million passengers. Once the third terminal starts operating, we will be able to handle twice that number," Minister Millat noted. The additional revenue is anticipated to aid in repaying the loan taken for the project, with Tk 1,100 crore already repaid since the government assumed office.
Minister Millat warned that failing to complete and operationalise the terminal would result in an expensive but underutilised facility, urging prompt action to avoid it becoming a mere building, as had happened under the previous government. This, he stressed, would be detrimental to the nation, its people, and the country.