HSIA 3rd terminal may take 6 more months

The construction of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s (HSIA) third terminal was scheduled to be completed on April 5 this year. Following completion, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) was supposed to take over the terminal from the contractor on April 6.

However, 5 per cent of the work remains pending. Since the work is not complete, the contractor has asked for around six more months to hand over the third terminal. So, CAAB is expected to officially take over the terminal next September.

CAAB will start transferring many functions of the old terminal to the third terminal after assuming responsibility.

Commenting on the delay, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said, “The terminal building construction contractor has asked for another six months to hand over the terminal, as they need to complete the remaining 5 per cent of the work.

“Boarding, immigration counters, and baggage belts have already been installed. Calibration of these devices will take time. Besides, the work on two boarding bridges has not been completed. That too will end this time. Once all these things are completed quickly, the terminal will be opened for passengers.”

Mafidur added, “If they increase the time, they can demand to increase some extra money. But we did not agree to it. We told them to work. We want to have it ready by October. So far there is no possibility of costs to go up for this project.

“But this matter will be settled in the next meeting where all parties including contractors, and consultants.”

According to the CAAB, HSIA Expansion Project Phase-1 was approved by ECNEC on October 24, 2017. The first revised DPP of the project was approved for Tk 21,399 crore on December 10, 2019.

The government contributed Tk 5,000 crore, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided the remaining funds.

Designed by internationally renowned architect Rohani Baharin, Aviation Dhaka Consortium consisting of three organisations was given the responsibility to implement the third terminal project.

The three firms are – Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, Fujita Corporation and Korea's Samsung C&T.

In the meantime, the soft launching of HSIA's third terminal took place on October 7, 2023. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the ceremony.

According to the CAAB, covering an area of 5,42,000 square metres, the third terminal will boast a floor space of 2,30,000 square metres, housing 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration and 3 VIP immigration desks.

There are 128 immigration counters. Among them, 15 are automatic immigration counters, 66 exit immigration counters, 59 arrival immigration counters and VVIP 3. There will be 26 boarding bridges.