Dhaka: Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat told Parliament on Sunday that the Awami League government opened a building in the name of completion of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), while still needing Tk 902 crore to make the terminal operational.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister explained that the project, initially estimated at Tk 13,000 crore, was revised multiple times, eventually costing Tk 21,600 crore. Despite the terminal being presented as complete by the previous Awami League government, several essential components, including machinery integration and related Airport Development and Construction (ADC) works, remain unfinished.
Minister Millat emphasized the urgency of operationalizing the terminal to prevent wastage of the USD 2.1 billion property, generate revenue, and repay the loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The government has already paid Tk 1,100 crore as an instalment after assuming office.
The minister outlined the previous unpaid arrears, dues to ADC, and funds required for completing the remaining works, calculating a need for Tk 902 crore to operationalize the terminal. The government has approached the Planning Ministry for additional allocation approval, while the Finance Ministry is working to arrange the necessary funds.
Millat expressed that once operational, the third terminal would double the current passenger-handling capacity of 1.2 million, significantly boosting revenue and aiding in the JICA loan repayment. "If we can start the terminal sooner, we can earn revenue sooner and repay the loan sooner," he added.