Dhaka airport to get massive makeover

The government has taken on a mega project to give Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka – the country's main airport - a massive makeover.  

Under the Tk20,590 crore project, the government will set up security equipment, a new passenger terminal, a 62,000 square metre multilevel car park with a tunnel, and a 41,200 square metre new cargo complex.

The government will also build a 1,840 square metre rescue and firefighting station among other facilities.  

The Aviation Dhaka Consortium will implement the project under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

The cabinet committee on government purchase approved the project proposal on Wednesday with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.

The meeting at the conference room of the Cabinet Division also approved four other proposals.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the finance minister said the airport's expansion will be carried out using Japan's official development assistance (ODA) loans and government funds.  

Sources at the civil aviation and tourism ministry said activities at the country's key airport are increasing day by day. The existing infrastructure and other facilities are not capable of handling the growing pressure, which is why the ministry has decided to expand the airport.

The cabinet committee also approved a Tk3,449 crore Physical Protection System project for providing security at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.  

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council with the prime minister in the chair approved the project on Tuesday.  

The cabinet committee also approved a number of other projects including one for importing fertiliser directly from the United Arab Emirates.