The significant project to elevate Bangladesh’s aviation sector has visible delays in the construction of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka. When it was first announced, the terminal was scheduled to be completed by April 2024, and would be fully operational by October 2024, but the opening has now been pushed back to 2026.
Key Reasons for the Hold-up:
Pending Consultant Report: One of the primary reasons for delaying the project is the pending report of the consultant. This report is critical because it recommended the vendor to operate the terminal and the associated terms and conditions. Without this report, the next steps in operational preparations have been stalled.”
Unfinished Construction Work: 5% Completion of Terminal Left By – April 2024 Install and calibrate, then pre-test critical equipment. But these bolts are essential to the terminal’s operation and safety, and they have not all been installed, which has been part of the delay.
Insufficient Infrastructure Elements: Some essential infrastructure components were unintentionally missed out during the planning phase of the project. Most importantly, distributed antenna system (DAS) that assures complete cover of mobile network inside terminal was not part of project profile. This mistake required design changes and rework to add installations which increased the project duration.
Lack of Integrated Security System: The terminal does not have an integrated security system. Such an absence poses many security risks while adding the past incidents which faced security vulnerabilities in airport security protocols. “Our lack of data consensus as well as community guidelines and standards on the use of real-world evidence is deficient.
In view of these challenges, CAAB engaged in discussions with Aviation Dhaka Consortium (ADC), the Contractor, to identify possible solutions. Proposals include extending the project deadline for six months without allocating more funding or assume control of the building to finish the remaining work by September 2024. A final decision on those proposals was expected late in April 2024.
The third terminal project, which was launched in December 2019 with an estimated cost of Tk21, three hundred crores, was designed to boost the airport’s handling capacity. Upon completion, it will accommodate around twenty-four million passengers a year, effectively doubling the existing capacity.
While those setbacks have been disappointing, Harper said work is still ongoing to fix the problems and get the terminal finished. The successful operationalisation of Terminal 3 is expected to improve passenger experience, facilitate an increase in air traffic, and serve as a cornerstone for strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the regional and global aviation landscape.