Land acquisition starts for upgrading eight airports

FT ONLINE

The government has started the land acquisition process for upgradation and extension of eight airports across the country.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has recently submitted a detailed report on the progress of the land acquisition process.

It was submitted in the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) body expressed satisfaction over the progress in the land acquisition process, committee chairman Faruk Khan said.

The eight airports are Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali Airport, Cox's Bazar Airport, Saidpur Airport, Shah Amanat Airport, Shah Makhdum Airport, Barisal Airport and Iswardi Airport.

The CAAB informed the committee that process is underway to pay money to the Bagerhat deputy commissioner (DC) against the case number 05/2016-17 to acquire about 536 acres of land.

The land will be handed over to the CAAB by next month (July), according to the working paper.

For the upgradation of Cox's Bazar Airport, the CAAB took initiative to acquire 741.88 acres of land.

Of the total land, the DC office has completed settlement of 682.29 acres of land in favour of the CAAB.

The rest 24.95 acres of land is private property that was supposed to be handed over on May 27. The settlement process of another 34.63 acres of khas land is underway, the CAAB informed the JS body.

The CAAB sent a letter, demanding 912.94 acres of land, for approval of the ministry concerned to make Saidpur Airport a regional one. A revised proposal will be sent to the ministry soon as per its demand.

The CAAB informed that Teesta Barrage Project (second phase) is inside the 365.14 acres of its required land.

Besides, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has already acquired 39.40 acres of land for Bogra Irrigation Canal Construction Project (first unit).

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has also acquired 6.63 acres of land.

But the lands are required for constructing runway, taxiway and terminal building for upgradation of Saidpur Airport, mentioned the CAAB.

The authority expressed concern that complexities might arise in the land acquisition process for expanding Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport.

There are overcrowded settlements on the proposed 400 acres of land, including concrete buildings on 57 acres of land, it added.

Considering the situation, a revised proposal for land acquisition would be sent, as the 9,647 feet runway of the airport has to be extended to 10,000 feet.

To extend and upgrade Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi, the CAAB has primarily decided to acquire 950 acres of land.

It is planned in two phases - 764 acres in the first phase and 186 acres in the second phase.

Besides, about 246 acres of land would be acquired for Barisal Airport.

The CAAB has already appointed a consultant for feasibility study, drawing design, master plan and cost estimation.

The final land area required for Shah Makhdum and Barisal airports would be decided as per the consultant's report.

The CAAB has already formed a three-member committee to study the feasibility of flight operations at Iswardi Airport two/three days a week, both by Biman and other private airlines.

The committee submitted a report after visiting the airport.

The process of widening runway as well as constructing terminal building, control tower and fire station building of the airport is in progress as per the report.

The number of domestic travellers in the country increased to 1,067,537 in 2017 from 648,019 in 2013, registering a 64.73 per cent growth.