‘Shahjalal’s third terminal is likely to start operation in November’

The third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is likely to begin operation in November this year, said Air Vice Marshal Md. Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh  (CAAB).

He made these remarks at a press conference held to highlight the progress of the third terminal at the CAAB office on Thursday (January 16) afternoon.

The CAAB chairman said that the work on the building of the third terminal is 99 percent completed. The apron in front of the terminal is also done. "We will use it within the next week. Some work on the ceiling and boarding bridge at two corners is still pending. These works will be completed by next March. Although everything is completed, only 65 percent work of the VVIP lounge has been completed so far. We are trying to finish it quickly."

Stating that there is a plan to inaugurate the terminal this year, he said: "There is a plan to inaugurate the terminal within this year at any cost. Because, as you know, we have spent a lot of money here. A total of 2.1 billion dollars have been spent here, for which we have taken a loan from JICA and the government has also given some money. If everything is fine, we will start in October. If not in October, we will go into operation in November at any cost."

The car parking of the third terminal was kept in front of the main building. If it was not located in the front side, the beauty of the building would have increased. Maybe it was done because there was no space," he said.

He further said that now 24 organizations are working at the airport. Everyone is working together on security. "However, if anyone makes a mistake in their work, action will be taken against them. If any complaint is made against anyone, we would conduct an investigation against them. We are not sparing anyone."

At this time, he also talked about the terminals of Sylhet, Cox's Bazar, Jashore, Bogura, and Saidpur airports. The CAAB chairman also said that the work of all the ongoing projects will be completed this year.