Terminal 3 promises to transform aviation sector

With promises to transform the face of Bangladesh’s aviation sector, the much-anticipated and picturesque third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka is set to have its soft opening today.

Aimed at providing travelers with a comprehensive and contemporary airport experience, the new terminal for the country’s number one international airport is scheduled to be officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The project stands out as one of the most talked-about and exciting among all the megaprojects undertaken by the AL-led government.

Often compared to the world-renowned Changi Airport in Singapore, the third terminal at the HSIA promises to offer a modern and comprehensive travel experience. Designed by the acclaimed architect Rohani Baharin, this terminal has been crafted to revolutionise the airport experience in the country, providing passengers with a wide range of modern amenities and conveniences.

HSIA authorities said the third terminal is nearly 90% complete, marking a significant milestone in this ambitious project.
As the PM is set to partially open the terminal today, it marks a crucial step forward in construction efforts that began almost four years ago. It's worth noting that the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for this impressive terminal on 28 December 2019.

The construction of this state-of-the-art terminal comes at a cost of Bangladeshi Taka 21,399 crores. Bangladesh has contributed 5,000 crores and 19,811 Taka to this monumental endeavour, with the remaining funding being provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Initially approved by the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on October 24, 2017, the project's cost has since increased to 21,399 crores Taka. This ambitious construction project is being carried out by a consortium of Japanese firms, including Mitsubishi, Fujita, and South Korean company Samsung.

A brief history of air travel in Bangladesh

The country's first airport was located in Tejgaon, the capital, but post-independence, it struggled to meet the growing demand for air travel. In 1981, a new international airport was inaugurated in Kurmitola, formerly known as Zia International Airport. In 2010, the airport was renamed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Today, the two existing terminals at this major airport serve approximately 30,000 to 35,000 passengers daily, accommodating nearly 8 million passengers annually. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), once the third terminal becomes fully operational, it will have the capacity to serve an additional 1 crore and 20 lakh passengers.

Security Arrangement

At least 850 members of airport armed police are ready to provide security for the third terminal like the HSIA's Terminal 1 and 2. In all, the number of Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBN) to be on patrol at the airport will be 2,030. This smart and efficient police unit has already earned trustworthy of travelers with their service.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of APBN Ziaul Haque Palash said, “We have sent the demand letter to the police headquarters of new 850 policemen for the third terminal. They have already prepared them.

He said, “Actually We have sent the demand letter for a full battalion for the third terminal.”

According to relevant sources, an Additional DIG will be the chief of APBN at the new terminal. There will also have three police Superintendent, Four Additional Superintendent of Police, Six ASPs, one media officer, Four non-armed inspectors (male), three non-armed inspectors (female), 18 armed inspectors, nine non-armed Sub-Inspectors (SI), 31-armed SI, three sergeants, 10 male non-armed Assistant of sub-inspectors (ASI), four female non-armed Assistant of sub-inspectors (ASI), 96 ASI, 153 naik, 465 constable (male and female) 24 Cook (constable), 14 NSE (constable) and one tailor (constable).

According to sources, the largest project in the country’s airport history is the third expansion project of the HSIA, which is popularly known as the third terminal. There are currently two terminals at HSIA.

The terminal is being constructed on 542,000 square metres of land and floor space of 230,000 square metres, 115 check-in counters, 64 departure and 64 arrival immigration desks.
The parking space will accommodate 1,230 vehicles and there will be a 542,000-square-metre apron for 37 aircraft. At the same time, there will be 26 baggage scanning machines, 11 body scanners, 12 boarding bridges and 16 luggage belts.

On a huge area of the third terminal, security is one of the major challenges among others. And that’s why, the CAAB will provide its own 2,030 security – known as Aviation Security. However, the manpower structure of the third terminal has not been appointed till now. A portion of the responsibilities of the first and second terminals will work for the third terminal.
To confirm the highest security of this huge area, a whole battalion is needed. And from that point of view, the Airport Armed Police Battalion sent the demand letter to the police headquarters. As the demand letter has been approved, new members of APBN are ready to work for the new terminal.

It is known that in the two terminals of the airport there are 700 members of the 8th Battalion of the Armed Police and about 500 members of the other battalions, and at present the number of members is 1180. The previous Battalion Chief or Commanding officer was a Superintendent of Police but now an Additional DIG is the Battalion Chief. Besides Police Superintendent, Additional Police Superintendent, there are 12 BCS officers including Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police and Assistant Superintendent of Police.

It is known that in each of the four shifts, about 250 members do their duty for the security of different places of the airport. Another Senior Assistant Police Superintendent is serving the duty officer role as shift in-charge.

After the deployment of APBN in 2010, the Airport Armed Police Battalion has completed installation of CCTV cameras at all sensitive spots. Besides the dog squad K-Nine, the Crisis Response Team (CRT) has also been formed. Sometimes they are also seen rehearsing at the airport.

The armed police battalion is working in security in the entire area including the two terminals of the airport, inside and outside the terminal, runway, import and export cargo. The Airport Armed Police Battalion has already earned a reputation for preventing expatriate harassment outside the airport, including anti-smuggling.

How Airport Armed Police was formed?

Once HSIA was one of the most dangerous airports in the world. It was a low-category airport. Safe landings and take-offs were risky here. There was no satisfactory security. The area was like a heaven for smugglers. Harassment of passengers was a regular event. There was no discipline in parking. Transport workers were at their peak. To many, the airport was a Gabtali, Syedabad and Sadarghat-like terminal. There was no control of civil aviation. Dhaka airport was a place of fear for local and foreign passengers. Overall, the airport was risky.

At such a worrying time, the 10th intelligence conference was held under the chairmanship of PM Sheikh Hasina on 24 April 2010. In that intelligence conference, the fragile situation of the country's airports came up.  In view of that, the need of specialized police for Key Point Installation (KPI) security of airports was felt. Therefore, it was proposed to form Airport Armed Police by unanimous decision. Then on June 1 of that year, armed police started operations at the airport.

Since taking the helm of airport security in 2010, the APBN has been able to gain people's faith in order and security. Each and every member of APBN continues to carry out duties continuously with utmost importance of honesty, devotion and responsibility. Passengers are not harassed at the airport now rather APBN members recover the lost valuables and deliver it to the passengers. There is no luggage pulling party and that’s why even if something is lost, the armed policemen on duty find it and submit it to the office.

APBN Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ziaul Haque Palash said, “Every member works tirelessly to maintain order at the airport. We monitor 24 hours so that the passengers do not suffer any kind of harassment and suffering. There are also cases where passengers have left their luggage behind. After a week they contacted us and took the luggage. And now not even a single chocolate goes missing. We are giving our best effort.”

“We think that the APBN will be able to gain the faith of passengers by maintaining their professionalism even in the world-class third terminal as well,” he said.

Future Plans

Authorities are optimistic that the terminal will be fully operational for passenger use by the end of next year. Starting from October 7, airlines will also be able to utilize the new parking lot of the terminal, marking another significant step towards enhancing air travel in Bangladesh.

The inauguration of the third terminal represents a momentous leap forward in the country's aviation sector, promising a brighter future for travelers and the nation's economy.