PM orders swift launch of HSIA Third Terminal

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday instructed authorities to begin operations at the long-awaited Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport without delay, as part of efforts to position Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.

The prime minister also called for improvements in service quality at the country’s main gateway to support growing international connectivity.

The directives were issued on Sunday at a meeting at the Secretariat’s Cabinet Conference Room, chaired by the prime minister, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Afroza Khanam said, “Our prime minister wants immediate operation of the third terminal and he directed the authorities concerned in this regard.”

She said no date had yet been fixed for a formal inauguration. 

“Further discussions and technical assessments will be held to determine how the process can be expedited. Work is in progress, but a specific date cannot be announced at this stage,” she added.

Asked why the terminal had not opened despite more than 99% of construction being completed, the minister attributed the delay to decisions taken during the tenure of the interim government, adding that outstanding issues were now being addressed.

She said the current administration was moving to make the terminal operational by resolving remaining problems, including network-related complications.

The meeting was attended by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddique, among others.

The Third Terminal project was approved in 2017 under the then Awami League government, with construction beginning on 18 December 2019 at an estimated cost of Tk21,398 crore. Of that amount, Tk5,000 crore came from government funds, with the remainder financed through loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

A “soft inauguration” was held on 7 October 2023 by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, now exiled in India. 

Full operations, initially planned for 2024, did not commence. Officials have cited unresolved questions around ground handling, operational management and technical flaws within the terminal as the main causes of the delay.

Separately, Tarique Rahman urged ministers and civil servants to maintain strict punctuality, underlining the importance of discipline and accountability in public service.

The instruction came after the prime minister arrived at the Bangladesh Secretariat at 9:05am on Sunday – his third consecutive early arrival since assuming office – and asked about the attendance of ministers, state ministers and advisers.

“He gave a verbal instruction so that everyone would be present at the office at the specified time,” said Atiqur Rahman, the prime minister’s additional press secretary, noting that many officials and visitors had been surprised by the early start.

Mr Rahman took the oath of office on 17 February and began working at the Secretariat the following day. He has since divided his time between the Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, including working last Saturday despite the public holiday for International Mother Language Day.

The prime minister also chaired a separate meeting at the Secretariat on building a healthy Bangladesh. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, the prime minister’s adviser Mahdi Amin, Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Gani, and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar were present.