Bangladesh-Northeast India connectivity (Photo: twitter)
by Anup Sinha 9 October 2023
With the tagline “Connecting dreams to reality,” Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on 7 October, formally opened Terminal 3 of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HISA).
“Because it is situated between air routes from the East and the West, I think Bangladesh will be the centre of the global aviation industry. She announced this while kicking off the terminal’s partial opening and unveiling a plaque at a HSIA event. “The international airlines will land either at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport or Cox’s Bazar International Airport for refuelling,” she said.”Bangladesh’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport or Cox’s Bazar International Airport will be the international aviation hub for its geographical location,” she stated.
The PM stated that Singapore later displaced Hong Kong as the primary international aviation hub, and that now Dubai has taken its place. According to Hasina, the third terminal’s cutting-edge amenities will increase global air connectivity.
Airlines will be able to use the new parking bay of the terminal starting on Saturday once 90% of the new terminal’s construction has been completed for the soft launch. After systems integration and calibration are finished, the terminal will be fully functional for passenger use at the end of the following year. With its top-notch amenities and passenger services, the new terminal will transform how people perceive the nation.
The third terminal’s opening will be able to accommodate the rising demand. At Shahjalal Airport, the two terminals that are currently in use can hold over 70 lakh passengers annually. This amount will be very nearly 2 crores if the third terminal is constructed. This terminal, which measures 5 lakh 42 thousand square meters, can house 37 aircraft. There will be a 230,000 square meter terminal building. The building’s inside will be decorated using modern technologies. There will be many straight escalators in the terminal that is currently being built. In busy regions of the world’s modern airports, such Singapore and Bangkok, escalators are frequently employed. It provides a comfortable journey for the passengers.
The airport’s third terminal will be connected to Metrorail. Through this, visitors to Bangladesh can take the metro rail directly from the airport to their final destination. In addition, you can take the metro rail from any station in Dhaka directly to the airport’s exit area. More than 1 crore Bangladeshis reside outside of their country. Every chance they get, they strive to visit the nation. For the Hajj, Umrah, and other pilgrimages, hundreds of thousands of people fly. Due to commerce, imports, and exports of goods, Shahjalal Airport is under increasing demand. Because of this, the government considered developing a brand-new international airport. Three-fourths of this project was funded by a loan from the Japanese government in the amount of roughly 21,000 400 crores. A quarter is being spent in Bangladesh.
An airport resembles the drawing parlour of a nation. Foreigners first learn about a country by visiting its airport before entering it. Airports provide as a window into any nation. When a visitor arrives in a country, he initially assesses it by looking around the airport. The country’s reputation rises if the airport is modern. The third terminal’s opening will be yet another achievement for the nation.
The move of the present government’s ambition for Smart Bangladesh can be greatly aided by the Smart Airport. Numerous foreign visitors will arrive in the nation after the third terminal’s development is finished. Additionally, investing by foreigners in Bangladesh would be encouraged. Improved cargo handling facilities will boost exports and GDP, which will help the nation’s poverty levels indirectly.
Along with the third terminal building, an underground tunnel and a flyover will be built, creating a network of connections for the Dhaka Elevated Motorway and Metrorail. It will have a firefighting system that meets international standards.
Passengers will receive services at this airport that are of an international grade once the current infrastructure restrictions are lifted. The third terminal’s project cost won’t change in any manner. Instead, the project’s overall cost will be reduced by 700 crore rupees. With this money, it is planned to build 14 boarding bridges in addition to the 12 that will be built at the third terminal, as well as a VVIP terminal complex, pending approval from the government and JICA and the completion of other legal requirements.
Nearly all of these contemporary amenities are found in Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. 37 planes have been parked together in an apron in this terminal’s 5 lakh 42 thousand square metre space. The sleek terminal structure will be this facility’s most appealing feature, though. The 230,000 square metre structure will house all of the most important and cutting-edge technology available today.
There will be multiple straight escalators in the third terminal that is currently being built. For individuals who cannot walk the lengthy distance to the airport, there is this arrangement. In modern airports around the world, notably Singapore and Bangkok, these escalators are frequently employed in regions with heavy passenger traffic.
Three distinct baggage storage spaces are available at the new terminal. Storage for regular baggage, lost and recovered items, and odd-shaped or overweight baggage. For travelers’ normal weight luggage, the terminal will include 16 baggage belts, just like the airports in Singapore’s Changi and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi. For overweight (unusual size) luggage, four additional independent belts will be attached. Additionally, a separate Lost and Found Baggage Area will be available for any luggage left in any of the airport’s locations, including the baggage area.
The new terminal will contain a day room, airlines lounge, and movie lounge to pass the time while travelling. Additionally, 14 locations are preparing duty-free stores for browsing and buying. Both within and outside of the terminal, there will be a food court, a culinary gallery, Wi-Fi, and mobile charging stations. Men and women have separate spaces set out for prayer. At Terminal 3, there will also be a Meters and Greeters Plaza where guests can pick up travelers.
The new terminal will contain 11 body scanners for security and 27 baggage scanning devices. Until boarding the flight, a passenger entering the terminal can be automatically searched without being touched. The traveler in that situation must raise both hands inside the body scanner. Both travelers and airport security personnel will benefit from the time savings. Additionally, scanning will be visible and accurate. In the vicinity of the new terminal building, a complete fire station is being constructed. A separate fire station manager will be employed. There will be a variety of facilities for emergency rescue and firefighting.
Finally, a new era in aviation begins with the opening of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal. The air trade will soar. Bangladesh will grab the attention of the entire globe as one of South Asia’s major centers.