National
Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal Full Completion by April 5th
The construction of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal is scheduled for full completion by April 5, with operations expected to commence fully by October. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) will assume control of the terminal once construction concludes, initiating the transition from old terminals to the new one through the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) project.
Project Director AKM Maksudul Islam informed UNB that almost all construction, including civil engineering tasks, is nearing completion, with any remaining work anticipated to conclude in the first week of April. This ensures a smooth handover to CAAB by April 6. Islam mentioned preparations are underway for the full operational launch in October, including system integration and calibration tasks that have successfully undergone multiple evaluations.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman stated that the third terminal is nearly ready for flight operations and is expected to be fully functional by October. He emphasized that the completion of this terminal will significantly enhance Dhaka airport’s capacity, facilitating the growth of domestic and international airline operations, improving passenger amenities, increasing revenue, and enhancing overall efficiency.
Rahman highlighted the Prime Minister’s directive to expedite the project, noting that the work has been completed ahead of schedule, within the allocated budget, and without compromising quality. The third terminal, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, aims to provide superior service quality for passengers, accommodating an increase in both domestic and international travelers to boost revenue.
The expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, including the third terminal construction, was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in October 2017, with the first revised development project proposal approved in December 2019 for BDT 21,399 crore. The construction contract was awarded to the Aviation Dhaka Consortium, including Japan’s Mitsubishi and Fujita, and South Korea’s Samsung, based on a design by architect Rohani Baharin.
Prime Minister Sheik Hasina’s soft opening of the third terminal on October 7, 2023, marked a significant milestone. Once fully completed, the new terminal will more than double Dhaka airport’s capacity and increase annual passenger throughput from 8 million to 20 million, transforming it into a bustling hub and boosting revenue.
Presently, Shahjalal International Airport operates with two terminals covering over 100,000 square meters. The addition of the third terminal will introduce an extra 230,000 square meters of space, featuring 115 check-in counters, 64 departure and 64 arrival immigration desks, enhanced security measures, including 27 baggage scanning machines, 40 scanning machines, 12 boarding bridges, 16 carousels, and 11 body scanners.
The third terminal will enable parking for 37 aircraft simultaneously and includes two high-speed taxiways to reduce runway wait times, buildings for cargo import and export, and a three-storey parking structure for 1,350 vehicles. Initially, 12 out of 26 boarding bridges will be operational, with 115 check-in counters, including 15 self-service counters and 10 automated passport control counters.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other domestic airlines plan to increase flight operations with the inauguration of the third terminal. Foreign airlines have also shown interest in expanding their services. The third terminal will be connected to the metro rail and the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, providing seamless access for passengers and enhancing the Dhaka airport’s capacity to serve as a regional aviation hub.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued forecasts of rain or thundershowers for Dhaka, Rangpur, and five other divisions, commencing from 9 am today and extending over the next 24 hours. This weather forecast encompasses Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, where accompanying gusty or squally winds are anticipated during the rainfall. Additionally, Chattogram division is expected to experience some activity, albeit in fewer places, with the potential for hail in isolated areas.
The BMD bulletin highlights that various areas within these seven divisions may witness significant thunderstorm activity, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, with isolated occurrences of hail.
Temperature levels across the nation are projected to remain consistent, both during daytime and at night. Over the past 24-hour period, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, experienced the lowest temperature at 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Dhaka witnessed the most substantial rainfall, measuring up to 87mm. Residents in the affected divisions are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay informed about further forecasts from the BMD.
The Jashore Education Board has achieved the highest pass rate of 92.32% among the nine boards in the 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, according to official data.
Conversely, Sylhet remained at the bottom with a pass rate of 73.35%, continuing its trend from last year when it also recorded the lowest pass rate of 76.06%.
Data from the education board website reveals that the Dhaka board secured a pass rate of 83.92%, while Rajshahi board achieved 89.25%, Cumilla board 79.20%, Barishal board 89.13%, Chattogram board 82.80%, Dinajpur board 78.40%, and Mymensingh board 84.97%.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the results of this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Students have been able to access their results through the official website.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
