Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport(Third Terminal)

Introduction: Bangladesh illustrates a most intriguing and delightful puzzle in international

Why 3rd Terminal?: The chaos and confusion that passengers face at Hazrat Shahjalal
International Airport (HSIA) is an experience that can hardly be forgotten. Even receiving any one
from the airport has become a nightmare for many.The number of in and outbound flights has
increased manifolds. As a result, the number of passengers has also marked a rise. For the last
couple of years, the airport seems to be bursting at its seams. The airport is anticipated to witness
passenger traffic of approximately 12 million by August 2022 and up to 22 million by 2035. So
It's time the airport gets expanded. The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka,
Bangladesh, is being expanded to address the continued increase in domestic and international
passengers and cargo passing through the facility.The expansion project is set to more than double
the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity from eight million to 20 million, and the cargo
capacity from 200,000 tons to 500,000 tons. It is also expected to improve air transportation and
economic and social development in Bangladesh.

Recent project update: The ground-breaking ceremony of the third passenger terminal building
and other infrastructure was held in December 2019 and is scheduled for completion in October
2023. Construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is
progressing in full swing with completion reaching 2% more than the April target which it did
already. Officials say the soft launch of the much-awaited terminal is expected within September-
October next year. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali told, "The
construction of this world-class airport is 1.9% ahead of the expected target. "By April 8, the
construction of the third terminal was supposed to be 32.7% complete. However, in reality, it is at
34.6%. The construction will be completed within the stipulated time." Expressing hope that the
terminal can be inaugurated within the scheduled December 2023 timeline, he said, "Passengers
at the third terminal will enjoy the same quality of services they get at London's Heathrow Airport
or Thailand's airports. "Even if there is some work left, the soft launch can be done earlier. During
the Covid-19 outbreak, construction work of the third terminal did not stop for a single day," he
added.

Behind the Project: The 3rd terminal is one of the biggest mega projects in Bangladesh, indeed.
There will be no compromise with quality. The project is being implemented by Mitsubishi and
Fujita of Japan, and Samsung of South Korea. Around 4,000 national and international workers
are working on that project, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
Local and International engineers and workers are working in multiple shifts to complete the
work of the third terminal of HSIA ahead of the schedule.Celebrated architech Rohani Baharain
designed the terminal.Her other works include Changi International Airport's 3rd
terminal,Wuhan International Airport 3rd terminal,Ahmedabad International Airport.

Finance of this megaproject: Money is needed for every aspect of our life.Wheather it is a
pencil or a megaproject like HSIA 3rd terminal money is important. The project with an
estimated cost of Taka 136.10 billion got approval of the Executive Committee of the National
Economic Council (ECNEC) on October 24, 2017. Of the total project cost, Taka 23.96 billion
will come from the state exchequer while the rest Taka 112.15 billion as project assistance from
the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Privileges of the project : The third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is
going to be one of the most sophisticated and spacious airports in South Asia. Continuous work
is going on at every step of this airport with an area of 260,000 meters. The entire roof of the first
floor of the three-story airport building will be visible next December. Of the 686 columns in the
main terminal building, 650 have been completed. The third terminal will increase the airport’s
annual passenger handling capacity from the current eight million to approximately 20 million,
and the cargo capacity from 200,000 to 500,000 tonnes. The 542,000-square-meter project has
the capacity to hold 37 aircraft aprons and 1,230 vehicles, a 63,000-square-foot import-export
cargo complex having a capacity of handling 820411 tons annually and 115 check-in counters 64
departure and 64 arrival immigration desks. All in all, the third terminal will have all the
facilities of the world's top airports.Besides, there will be 27 baggage scanning machines, 11
body scanners, 12 boarding bridges and 16 luggage belts, rescue and Fire Fighting Station and
Equipment 4,000 sqm, Land Development, Connecting Taxiway (North) 24,000 sqm,
Connecting Taxiway (Other) 42,500 sqm, Rapid Exit Taxiway (North) 22,000 sqm, Rapid Exit
(South) 19,500 sqm, solder 96,500 sqm, GSE road 83,800 sqm, service road 33,000 sqm,
drainage works (box culvert and protective works), boundary wall, security gate, guard room,
watch room and watch tower. Roads will have elevated roads, water supply system, sewage
treatment plant, intake power plant distribution system, security and terminal equipment for
cargo complex, airfield ground lighting system, hydrant fuel system at the airport. One of the
attractions of the airport will be the funnel tunnel.The HSIA 3rd terminal will have a touch of
advanced architecture and will host all modern facilities inside. The third terminal will be fitted
with several straight escalators. There will arrangements for those who cannot walk long
distances. There will also be baby care facilities, a children’s play area, movie lounge, food
court, WiFi facility, and duty-free shops at 14 spots of the terminal. The dream metro rail will be
connected to the third terminal of this airport. A separate station will also be built. Through this,
passengers coming to Bangladesh will be able to travel to their destinations by metro rail without
leaving the airport. The prime minister has instructed the authority to extend the tunnel to
Ashkona Hajj Camp.

Contribution to boost business : Construction of the third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal
International Airport (HSIA) in the capital is expected to boost trade through the
expansion of cargo capacity,as we say earlier. Due to congestion at the Chittagong port,
many exporters have opted for air freight to expedite delivery of consignments, while
many manufacturers are using the air routes to import raw materials. Our economy is
growing, so imports and exports and domestic and foreign investment are also growing.
In such a context, the launch of a new terminal with modern facilities will speed up the
trade and commerce of the country. Building a new cargo village as part of the airport
expansion project will increase the shipment of goods by air. The lack of a large cargo
village, the goods are being kept out in the open, causing damages. Bangladesh exports a
significant quantity of fruits and vegetables to the Middle East, Europe, and the rest of
the world through air freight. A senior official of the Bangladesh Fruits Vegetable and
Allied Products Exporters Association said that the export process will be much easier
after the new terminal opens. He also said that the cargo handling process will take less
time if automation is introduced. Moreover, there will be air-conditioned warehouses for
perishable goods so the products will not get spoiled even if they are stored for a long
time. At present, the quality of vegetables and fruits deteriorate as they are stored out in
the open for 8-10 hours before being loaded on to flights.

Conclusion : Bangladesh is going to be uplifted from the LDCs by 2026 and it has created
aspirations among the common people for more facilities and better life. The megaprojects like
HSIA 3rd terminal to transforming the economy and achieving a high mid-income country status
by 2041. Bangladesh has been concerned about the sustainable financing and economic viability
of mega-projects. The geostrategic position of Bangladesh between South Asia and Southeast
Asia, constant economic growth, relatively higher political stability than before, and cheap labor
with a large market have been offering competitive opportunities in investment for the
developing partners of Bangladesh.