The construction cost of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) has increased by Tk 2000 crore before starting of the work. The construction cost has increased due to the delay in starting the work. Due to tendering irregularities, Turkish construction company Gap-Insat-Tav filed a writ against the Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh (CAAB). As a result, the construction process delayed.
The authority concerned sold 22 tender applications, but at the end, they found only two applications. After examining, the authority on October 13 awarded the construction work to Dhaka Aviation Consortium. The project with an estimated cost of Tk 13,610.47 crore got the nod of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in October 2017.
Of the total project cost, Tk 2,395.69 crore will come from the state exchequer while the rest Tk 11,214.78 crore as project assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Dhaka Aviation Consortium, which showed the lowest construction cost of Tk 16438.83 crore, was awarded the construction of the third terminal last week. The consortium consists of Mitsubishi Corporation, Fujita Corporation, and Samsung.
But later, the consortium showed construction cost of Tk 17818.38 crore without vat and taxes. The lowest bidder in the tender process, increased the construction cost to Tk 1037 crore where VAT and tax were around TK 1000 crore. According to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, upon the approval of the government purchase committee, the construction work of the much-awaited third terminal will begin in November.
The ministry secretary said this is a fast track project of the government, and the construction work will start shortly. When asked about the increased construction cost, the secretary replied, due to time difference, prices of lots of things went up. As a result, the expenditure on construction has gone up reasonably.
The ministry's reliable sources said, in the third terminal, there will be 12 boarding bridges, elevated road, multilevel car parking, 23 parking bays, cargo complex, and three taxiways. With the implementation of the third terminal, the HSIA will be able to handle 1.2 crore passengers yearly.
CAAB sources said the expansion includes the construction of the third passenger terminal building known as Terminal 3, as well as a 5,900 square meter VVIP complex, a 41,200 square meter cargo complex and a multi-level car parking building with a tunnel. The new international passenger terminal building will have a floor area of roughly 2,26,000 square meters. Additionally, the project includes the construction of several exits and connecting taxiways, a parking apron in Terminal 3, new roads to connect the terminal with the airport road and a drainage system. Water treatment, power supply, rescue, and fire-fighting facilities will also be made available as part of the master plan.
\There will be a rapid exit and connecting taxiway and main road besides the Le Meridian Hotel to enter the airport. Besides, a subway will be built to connect the Dhaka Elevated Expressway with the airport. The project was approved by ECNEC in October 2017. Earlier in 2015, the feasibility study report on the third terminal was presented to the Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered to implement the project as soon as possible. The HSIA can handle 0.8 million passengers and 0.2 million tonnes of cargo annually.
The airport expansion project has been undertaken in accordance with the changing needs of the time. Once the project work is finished, the airport will be able to handle 2.0 million passengers while its cargo handling capacity will rise to 0.5 million tonnes.
