HSIA 3Rd Terminal: Installation of all equipment nearly complete

Almost all equipment, including check-in counters, immigration counters, escalators, lifts, baggage handling system, and several boarding bridges, have been installed at the under-construction third terminal of the Dhaka airport, which will get a soft launch on October 7.

"Overall, 89 percent works of the third terminal mega project have been completed as of today [yesterday]," said Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

Speaking at a press conference at the third terminal yesterday, he said around 10 percent work of the project, which include some interior works, integration, calibration, and functional test of all equipment, will start after the soft launch to make the third terminal operational.

After completing all work, the third terminal will be fully opened to passengers by the end of next year, Mafidur added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to soft launch the terminal. The government is implementing the project to improve the quality of passenger services to international standard and turn the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport into a regional aviation hub.

Caab chief said as per the contract, the construction of the third terminal building was scheduled to be completed by April next year at a cost of around Tk 21,398 crore.

But the construction would be completed around seven months ahead of schedule and about Tk 700 crore would be saved. The saved money will be spent on airport development, subject to approval by the Japan and Bangladesh governments, the Caab chairman said.

Under the 3rd terminal project, other work, including construction of the export and import cargo terminal, widening the apron for parking of 37 aircraft, and additional taxiways, have been completed.

Mafidur said the import and export cargo terminal will start operations in March next year if a cargo handler is appointed or the incumbent cargo handler, Biman, is capable of operating.

He said the third terminal is connected with multimodal transport system which would enable passengers to enter and exit the international airport.

The new terminal will be connected with the elevated expressway, underground railway (MRT-5, Kamalapur to airport portion) and also with the airport railway station through an underground tunnel.

Besides, hajj pilgrims will be able to access the third terminal from Ashkona hajj camp through an underground tunnel, said the Caab chief.

"We have drafted a plan in coordination with the roads and bridges authorities to increase the existing connectivity of the third terminal with the elevated expressway and highways in future so that passengers can directly access the airport."

Mafidur said the third terminal will be operated and maintained by a Japanese company under public private partnership.

"Passenger services will be entrusted to a Japanese company. We have asked them to ensure service standards like those in the globally renowned airports, including Changi and Dubai airports," he said.