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The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has set a target to execute eight major projects, including the much-talked-about third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, by 2025.
The aviation regulator is now continuing with nine projects in different airports countrywide at more than Tk 303 billion. However, the CAAB seeks to finish eight schemes by the end of this year.
One ongoing project at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet will take more time, according to a top official.
However, the deadline for most projects has been extended several times. Costs have also been increased along with the extension of time.
CAAB chairman Air Vice-Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan is hopeful of doing eight major projects, including the third terminal, by the period in question.
He told the FE that it was often not possible to keep deadlines precisely, because projects have to be coordinated with various organizations and ministries.
The CAAB does not have any budget constraint for completing the projects, according to him.
The aviation sector will get a big momentum if the projects can be finished by this year, according to insiders. In particular, the inauguration of the third terminal can transform Dhaka airport into a regional aviation hub.
The CAAB has a plan to complete the terminal, the most important and expensive structure in the country's aviation history, by this October.
Mr Bhuiyan said they were taking full-pledged preparations to launch the operation of the Tk 213.99-billion terminal project by this time.
The CAAB is continuing a project at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram for strengthening its existing runway and taxiway.
It has planned to conclude the project by this December, while its primary deadline was 30 May 2023. Its estimated cost was Tk 5.40 billion, while a new proposal seeks Tk 6.22 billion as extended cost.
The 'Cox's Bazar Airport Runway Extension Project' at a cost of Tk 37.09 billion was due for completion by June 2024. However, the authorities have a new deadline to complete it by June 2025. Under the project, the 9,000-feet runway of the airport is being expanded by another 1,700 feet in the north by reclaiming land of the Bay of Bengal.
The authorities took the 'Expansion of Osmani International Airport, Sylhet (Phase I) project' in 2019 and aimed to finish it by December 2022.
The project was later extended until December 2025, but the authorities feel they will not be able to complete it by the extended time. So, it has been proposed to extend it until December 2027.
According to sources, Tk 23.09 billion has already been approved for the project. But the authorities have proposed to increase the cost to Tk 28.27.
A project has been continuing for radar installation including CNS-ATM (communications, navigation and surveillance-air traffic management) system at HSIA at Tk 7.30 billion.
The deadline for the project work is June 2025.
The authorities are also continuing a project jointly in Jashore, Saidpur and Rajshahi airports at a combined total of Tk 5.66 billion, and another for the construction of international terminal building in Cox's Bazar at Tk 3.62 billion.
The authorities have a plan to complete the two projects by June and December 2025.
Two other projects 'Consultancy Services for Expansion Project of Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram (Design Phase)' and 'Consultancy Services for Cox's Bazar Airport Development (Second Round) Project (Design Phase)' are also ongoing.
The authorities have a target to complete the schemes by June 2025.
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