The government has sought Tk 902 crore to complete the remaining works and make the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport operational, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has told Parliament.
The minister said the terminal was presented as completed by the previous government, but several essential works, including the integration of machinery and related airport development and construction works, remained unfinished.
The project’s cost increased from an initial estimate of around Tk 13,000 crore to Tk 21,600 crore.
Describing the terminal as an asset worth around $2.1 billion, Millat said it must be made operational quickly to avoid further losses and generate revenue.
He said the government had transparently calculated that Tk 902 crore would be needed to clear outstanding payments and complete the necessary work. The Planning Ministry has been approached for approval, while the Finance Ministry is taking steps to arrange the allocation.
Once operational, the third terminal is expected to significantly increase passenger-handling capacity and boost airport revenue, which would also help repay the project loan.
The government has already repaid Tk 1,100 crore as a loan instalment, the minister said, stressing that the terminal should not remain an expensive but underutilised facility.
