Dhaka, Ctg airport projects worth Tk 290cr get nod by advisers council

The Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs has cleared two major project revisions worth more than Tk 290 crore to upgrade Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.

The approvals came on Tuesday during a committee meeting at the Secretariat chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.

At Shah Amanat International Airport, the project titled Strengthening of Existing Runway and Taxiway (1st Revised) received the green light. 

The original Tk 472 crore contract has been revised upward by Tk 132 crore, taking the total to Tk 605 crore — a 16.39 percent increase. The project is being executed by MIR AKHTER-CAMCE JV, headquartered in Dhaka.

For Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the project Installation of CNS-ATM (Communications, Navigation and Surveillance – Air Traffic Management) System including Radar (1st Revised) was also approved. 

The original Tk 658 crore contract has risen by Tk 158 crore to Tk 817 crore, reflecting a 24.13 percent hike. French aviation firm THALES LAS FRANCE SAS has been appointed as contractor.

Officials said the upgrades in Chattogram will enhance the runway and taxiway’s load-bearing capacity, enabling smoother handling of wide-body aircraft. Meanwhile, the CNS-ATM and radar system in Dhaka is expected to modernise air traffic navigation and surveillance, aligning Bangladesh with global aviation safety standards.

The recommendations will now move to the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase for final approval before implementation.

In addition to aviation projects, the Economic Affairs Committee also endorsed several procurement and contract extension proposals. These include:

The committee recommended policy approval for the import of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertiliser from Agrofertrans Limited, UK, which has authorisation from Egypt-based NCIC, under a government-to-government arrangement. The proposal was placed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

It also endorsed a proposal of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to import 50,000 metric tons of gasoline 95 unleaded (octane) for the July-December 2025 period.

The purchase, to be made from Indonesia's PT Bumi Siak Pusako Japin (BSP) will cost an estimated Tk 413.44 crore based on the quoted premium and reference price.

In another decision, the committee recommended extending the contracts of CAAB's contractual consultants, including special inspectors, security inspectors, and financial consultants.

The committee stressed that the aviation infrastructure upgrades are critical as Bangladesh faces rising passenger traffic and cargo demand.