Work in progress for Saidpur Int'l Airport

[bluesky]

12:00 AM, May 31, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:41 AM, May 31, 2018
Work in progress for Saidpur Int'l Airport

Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry set up this huge billboard at the entrance of Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari. Photo: Star

EAM Asaduzzaman

Saidpur Airport in the district will be upgraded soon to an international one.

As part of the upgradating process, civil aviation authorities have already completed the feasibility study and land acquisition procedure is also in progress.

Three other international airports in the country are Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.

Saidpur Airport Manager Shahin Ahmed said the authorities concerned started the upgradating work after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the announcement in parliament to upgrade the airport into an international one last year.

Following the prime minister's announcement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) appointed a North Korean farm last year that conducted massive studies on different aspects and provided necessary suggestions in this regard.

Besides appointing the foreign company, the CAAB conducted separate surveys with relevant experts and prepared a coordinated report, Shahin added.

Accordingly, an additional 912 acres of land covering areas in Nilphamari and Dinajpur is needed to construct a 12,000 feet approach runway in place of the existing 6,000 feet runway for operating large and modern aircraft from home and abroad, Shahin said.

The other major works, alongside the land acquisition, are modernising the terminal structure, setting up night landing system and construction of a giant boundary wall.

Meanwhile, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Naim Hassan and Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore M Mostafizur Rahman visited the airport site on March 31.

Former president of Nilphamari Chamber of Commerce and Industries Shafiqul Alam Dablu Shah said upgrading the airport into an international airport will boost the country's trade and tourism with India, Bhutan, Nepal and even China for its convenient location.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Bhutanese government led by its civil aviation and tourism minister visited the Saidpur Airport site in 2012.

Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Khaled Rahim said land acquisition process for converting the Saidpur Airport as an international one is already in progress.

 

[bluesky]

Former president of Nilphamari Chamber of Commerce and Industries Shafiqul Alam Dablu Shah said upgrading the airport into an international airport will boost the country's trade and tourism with India, Bhutan, Nepal and even China for its convenient location.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Bhutanese government led by its civil aviation and tourism minister visited the Saidpur Airport site in 2012.

Due to many atmospheric and geographical reasons, the Thimpu Airport in Bhutan is dangerous for both arrival and departure of the planes. Wind always change direction there that may cause accidents. The Bhutanese aviation minister visited Saidpur to study the possibility of making it the central point for the Bhutan-bound international tourists. From Saidpur, they will take either bus or smaller planes (not so sure) to Bhutan.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Cox'bazar international airport is under construction and expected to be open by 2019. After completion of Saidpur international airport, our international airport number is going to be five.Not bad for the small geographic areas of BD.

 

[greenhawk]

Why does Bangladesh need so many international airports? 3 seems like enough (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet). The existing airports should be expanded, not create new ones.

 

[bluesky]

Cox'bazar international airport is under construction and expected to be open by 2019. After completion of Saidpur international airport, our international airport number is going to be five.Not bad for the small geographic areas of BD.

An EPZ is under construction somewhere near Matarbari and Cox's Bazaar. Foreigners who would be coming to work in this EPZ need a shorter route not via Dhaka. Moreover, the foreigners may choose to go out to Singapore and Bangkok during the weekends. So, Cox's Bazaar is the perfect place for an international airport.
@greenhawk

 

[Nike]

Why does Bangladesh need so many international airports? 3 seems like enough (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet). The existing airports should be expanded, not create new ones.

Not to demean, but the existing International airport is still below the International standard, from cleanliness, punctuality, entertainment, Security , services ,facilities and other criterion is fall short

Shuwarnabhumi, Changi, Soekarno Hatta, Kuala Namu, Kuala Lumpur IA, and other dwarfing Shah jalal by big margin. You need to build a whole new airport and train a whole new officers and staff with new disciplines and tradition.

 

[TopCat]

Why does Bangladesh need so many international airports? 3 seems like enough (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet). The existing airports should be expanded, not create new ones.

Saidpur airport need extension be it international or domestic. It became overcrowded and cant operate at night.

Not to demean, but the existing International airport is still below the International standard, from cleanliness, punctuality, entertainment, Security , services ,facilities and other criterion is fall short

Shuwarnabhumi, Changi, Soekarno Hatta, Kuala Namu, Kuala Lumpur IA, and other dwarfing Shah jalal by big margin. You need to build a whole new airport and train a whole new officers and staff with new disciplines and tradition.

View attachment 477698

New terminal is being constructed for 400 million dollar in Dhaka airport.

 

[Homo Sapiens]

New terminal is being constructed for 400 million dollar in Dhaka airport.

Still we need to build an entire new airport outskirt of Dhaka.Shahjalal airport has maximum passenger handling capacity of 20 million even after the expansion(current handling capacity is just 8 million which is already achieved). 20 million passenger milestone for Dhaka is expected to be reach by 2030.After that, there is no room for farther expansion. We need a new airport which can handle more than 100 million passenger keeping in mind for the next 100 years.Hopefully 'Bangabandhu airport' can be operational by 2030.

 

[bluesky]

Hopefully 'Bangabandhu airport' can be operational by 2030.

Uncertainty hangs over fate of proposed Bangabandhu airport
Tribune Desk

• Published at 10:43 am January 11th, 2018
• Last updated at 01:21 am January 12th, 2018

The construction of a Bangabandhu International Airport on the bank of Padma River is facing uncertainty, as several proposed project sites have been deemed unsuitable following in-depth surveys. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hinted at the issue in a question-answer session at the parliament on Wednesday, saying that she directed officials concerned to conduct more surveys for finding a suitable site for the airport project. The Awami League-led government, during its previous tenure in 2011 took an initiative to build Bangabandhu International Airport in Arial Beel area of Munshiganj. However, the project was cancelled after local people violently protested against the decision. After the Arial Beel debacle, a cell formed to locate a suitable area for the proposed airport, began evaluating three possible sites. In 2017, the Japanese firm Nippon Koei Ltd, finalized Char Janajat at Shibchar upazila in Madaripur, Keyain at Sirajdikhan upazila in Munshiganj, and Char Bilashpur under Dohar upazila in Dhaka, as possible sites for the Bangabandhu Airport. Also Read- Can government start work on Bangabandhu airport before the election? Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism gave a powerpoint presentation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, showing her the three sites. According to sources, the prime minister expressed concern regarding the feasibility of building the Bangabandhu airport on char [river island] area. She also rejected another site for being too close to a residential area. During the question answer session at the parliament on Wednesday, the prime minister said: “We are currently conducting a survey at the Char Janajat area, to find a feasible site for building the airport. “However, Char Janajat is a river island. So we must first study the feasibility of building an airport on the river island soil.” Addressing the high density of population in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina added: “Bangladesh is a densely populated country, and it is difficult to implement a project here. Most of the sites scouted for building the airport are densely populated areas. “I do not think it will be feasible to relocate people from the possible construction site. So, we are conducting more surveys for finding a more suitable area. The airport project will move forward once we find a site through the ongoing surveys.” The prime minister also pointed out her government’s initiatives to modernize airports throughout the country, during the parliament session. “Bangladesh used to have only one airport. We [the Awami League-led government] turned the airports in Sylhet and Chittagong into international airports,” she said. Sheikh Hasina also added: “We have taken the initiative to build a third terminal at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, so that the airport can handle more passengers and flights. We are also expanding the runway. The airport will become a bridge between the east and the west.” Addressing the issue, former Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon [currently serving as the social welfare minister] said: “We showed the prime minister a list of possible sites for the airport. She rejected the proposal to build an airport near populated areas, and directed that more surveys be conducted to study the feasibility of construction on river island soil.

 

[TopCat]

Still we need to build an entire new airport outskirt of Dhaka.Shahjalal airport has maximum passenger handling capacity of 20 million even after the expansion(current handling capacity is just 8 million which is already achieved). 20 million passenger milestone for Dhaka is expected to be reach by 2030.After that, there is no room for farther expansion. We need a new airport which can handle more than 100 million passenger keeping in mind for the next 100 years.Hopefully 'Bangabandhu airport' can be operational by 2030.

Yes but I dont want a 7 billion dollar airport with Chinese money. Get it done for 1.5 billion dollar with our own money or the money from JAICA or ADB

 

[Homo Sapiens]

Uncertainty hangs over fate of proposed Bangabandhu airport
Tribune Desk

• Published at 10:43 am January 11th, 2018
• Last updated at 01:21 am January 12th, 2018

The construction of a Bangabandhu International Airport on the bank of Padma River is facing uncertainty, as several proposed project sites have been deemed unsuitable following in-depth surveys. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hinted at the issue in a question-answer session at the parliament on Wednesday, saying that she directed officials concerned to conduct more surveys for finding a suitable site for the airport project. The Awami League-led government, during its previous tenure in 2011 took an initiative to build Bangabandhu International Airport in Arial Beel area of Munshiganj. However, the project was cancelled after local people violently protested against the decision. After the Arial Beel debacle, a cell formed to locate a suitable area for the proposed airport, began evaluating three possible sites. In 2017, the Japanese firm Nippon Koei Ltd, finalized Char Janajat at Shibchar upazila in Madaripur, Keyain at Sirajdikhan upazila in Munshiganj, and Char Bilashpur under Dohar upazila in Dhaka, as possible sites for the Bangabandhu Airport. Also Read- Can government start work on Bangabandhu airport before the election? Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism gave a powerpoint presentation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, showing her the three sites. According to sources, the prime minister expressed concern regarding the feasibility of building the Bangabandhu airport on char [river island] area. She also rejected another site for being too close to a residential area. During the question answer session at the parliament on Wednesday, the prime minister said: “We are currently conducting a survey at the Char Janajat area, to find a feasible site for building the airport. “However, Char Janajat is a river island. So we must first study the feasibility of building an airport on the river island soil.” Addressing the high density of population in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina added: “Bangladesh is a densely populated country, and it is difficult to implement a project here. Most of the sites scouted for building the airport are densely populated areas. “I do not think it will be feasible to relocate people from the possible construction site. So, we are conducting more surveys for finding a more suitable area. The airport project will move forward once we find a site through the ongoing surveys.” The prime minister also pointed out her government’s initiatives to modernize airports throughout the country, during the parliament session. “Bangladesh used to have only one airport. We [the Awami League-led government] turned the airports in Sylhet and Chittagong into international airports,” she said. Sheikh Hasina also added: “We have taken the initiative to build a third terminal at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, so that the airport can handle more passengers and flights. We are also expanding the runway. The airport will become a bridge between the east and the west.” Addressing the issue, former Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon [currently serving as the social welfare minister] said: “We showed the prime minister a list of possible sites for the airport. She rejected the proposal to build an airport near populated areas, and directed that more surveys be conducted to study the feasibility of construction on river island soil.

In my opinion, the best site of Bangabandhu airport will be Bhawal-Rajendrapur shalban tract in Gazipur. That is a unpopulated forested area, highland and hard soil. No need to relocate thousands of people, no risk of flooding, less earthwork as soil is comparatively hard compared to alluvial river island and sufficiently close to Dhaka. Govt. need to clear 10,000 acres protected forest though.But it is worth it and that forest destruction should be compensated in coastal areas by undertaking forestation project there. I don't know why govt. is not looking at this option.Is there any severe limiting factor there?

 

[bluesky]

In my opinion, the best site of Bangabandhu airport will be Bhawal-Rajendrapur shalban tract in Gazipur. That is a unpopulated forested area, highland and hard soil. No need to relocate thousands of people, no risk of flooding, less earthwork as soil is comparatively hard compared to alluvial river island and sufficiently close to Dhaka. Govt. need to clear 10,000 acres protected forest though.But it is worth it and that forest destruction should be compensated in coastal areas by undertaking forestation project there. I don't know why govt. is not looking at this option.Is there any severe limiting factor there?

"Ecology[edit]
The park in Bhawal-Rajendrapur Shalban tract has 345 plant species, including 152 different tree species, 53 shrubs, 106 herbs and 34 climber species. The wildlife in the park includes 13 mammals, 9 reptiles, 5 birds and 5 amphibians. In addition the Forest Department has recently introduced peacocks, deers, pythons, and cat fish".

Good proposal. But, I think any destruction of nature there will cause an international outcry from the environmentalist groups. No way, the GoB will get their approval. That Anu Mohammed and Engr. Shahidullah are waiting for the govt. to fall in their evil trap.

 

[TopCat]

In my opinion, the best site of Bangabandhu airport will be Bhawal-Rajendrapur shalban tract in Gazipur. That is a unpopulated forested area, highland and hard soil. No need to relocate thousands of people, no risk of flooding, less earthwork as soil is comparatively hard compared to alluvial river island and sufficiently close to Dhaka. Govt. need to clear 10,000 acres protected forest though.But it is worth it and that forest destruction should be compensated in coastal areas by undertaking forestation project there. I don't know why govt. is not looking at this option.Is there any severe limiting factor there?

They had this going in Trishal Mymensingh but later dropped the idea of some technical issue regarding aviation rules when at the time of emergency the plane will have to cross international border while making a circle in standby.

 

[bluesky]

Not to demean, but the existing International airport is still below the International standard, from cleanliness, punctuality, entertainment, Security , services ,facilities and other criterion is fall short

Whatever may be the name, Cox's Bazaar will be a regional airport to ferry the foreign investors and workers who would be working in the EPZ nearby. BD needs functional airports, but not very fancy ones which are expensive to build. However, the new airports will be clean with good security measures. If these fall short of criteria for renowned airports, it is ok, but these must function properly.

 

[Hasan89]

Why does Bangladesh need so many international airports? 3 seems like enough (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet). The existing airports should be expanded, not create new ones.

Need more. More the better. Definitely one needed up far north in Rangpur region. Coxs Bazar needed for tourism.