Third terminal: fertile ground for mega-corruption

Wed. December 11, 2024 6:00 p.m.
Last updated on: Wed. December 11, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Wed. December 11, 2024 6:00 p.m. Last updated on: Wed. December 11, 2024 6:00 p.m.

The third terminal was expected to be operational by October 2024, a year after the inauguration. Photo: JICA Bangladesh

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The third terminal was expected to be operational by October 2024, a year after the inauguration. Photo: JICA Bangladesh

On October 7, 2023, the under-construction Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) was inaugurated at great cost by the deposed former Prime Minister. The previous regime organized this kind of spectacle by inaugurating megaprojects just before national elections to validate its empty slogan of development and conquer the electoral public. The third terminal was expected to be operational by October 2024, a year after the inauguration. It is now clear that completion of the works and operation are not on the horizon. To reiterate, the Khilgoan flyover was inaugurated around two years after its completion, while the Mohakhali flyover was inaugurated six months before its completion to precede a national election.

All these megaprojects, including the third terminal, are fertile ground for megacorruption. Corruption was the hallmark of the fallen government. Corruption centered on sectors such as energy, electricity and communications infrastructure has received the most attention. However, the area that has received the least national attention is corruption in Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) projects. The CAAB project budget in recent years has even eclipsed the nationally high-profile Padma Bridge project. While the project estimate for Padma Bridge stands at a staggering Tk 30,770.14 crore, the budget for CAAB projects totals to Tk 32,605 crore, while Tk 21,399 crore Tk have been approved for the third terminal alone, according to a report published in the Daily Star on April 9. , 2023.

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The expansion of HSIA’s existing capacity with a terminal and a parallel runway was drawn up during the first term of the Awami League (AL) government, 1996-2001. An absurd dream of building a new international airport on the outskirts of Dhaka city, named ‘Bangabandhu Aviation City’, has also been conceptualized – a grandiose project aimed at mega-corruption in all sectors of state craft .

These projects were implemented when the Awami League returned to power in 2009. In 2023, the cost of the third terminal project jumped to Tk 22,000 crore and the project to construct the parallel runway was abandoned. Construction of the parallel runway allegedly eliminated the need to build a new airport. A big question remains why the projected budget has continued to increase from initial estimates, while significantly reducing runway.

Whatever projects were undertaken, they were unfairly portrayed as Bangabandhu’s dream and the third terminal project was no exception. The media shamefully presented it as a dream project, claiming it would become the best airport in the world. But reality tells a completely different story. To begin with, let’s compare the cost of two terminals built almost at the same time: one at HSIA and the other the second terminal at Bangalore Kempegouda International Airport (BKIA). While the project estimate for the third terminal was a staggering Tk 22,000 crore, the bulk of the BKIA terminal cost only Rs 5,000 crore or Tk 7,050 crore (at a rate of conversion of Tk 1.41).

BKIA became fully operational from January 2023. On the other hand, only God knows when HSIA’s third terminal will be completed and put into full operation. One can witness the beauty of the BKIA terminal by taking a video tour. But a glimpse of the third terminal can make us completely frustrated and discouraged due to the poor quality of execution, even though more money was spent on its construction compared to BKIA. The third terminal project was passed for plunder by people in the corridors of power.

A random sampling of some important elements of an airport, such as boarding bridges, escalators and elevators, illustrates the raw level of quality compromise. Much of this equipment was purchased from obscure companies in collusion with local suppliers, who had strong political ties. There is concern that sellers and suppliers of high-value critical items are so obscure that they may not be traceable when the need arises.

It is essential to set up a high-level investigation to detect anomalies in purchases and challenge those responsible. It would be naive to think that there is a lack of resources, time and experts to conduct an investigation into corruption in the third terminal project. No corruption must go unpunished, and sectoral task forces must address this issue. If we do not do this, the wrongdoers will go scot-free for their crimes and similar corrupt practices will continue unabated.

Even if the fight against past corruption is a priority, it constitutes an absolute necessity to prevent any risk of corruption and any anomalies in future events. Ground handling is the most important aspect to which the authorities must now give full attention. This crucial responsibility has been given to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which has raised many eyebrows. Terminal operators, particularly the Ground Handling Agency (GHA), must be selected through open tender for the sake of fairness. Many world-renowned GHAs would be delighted to participate. It is important to choose the two most suitable GHA operators to break the current monopoly.

This is a fervent call for the head of the interim government to be held accountable and punish the criminals involved in the third terminal project. Most importantly, we should pave the way for choosing the most competent ground operator for the third terminal through a fair, competitive and influence-free tender. We pin our hopes on the head of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Mofizur Rahmanretired group captain, is a commercial pilot and aviation management professional.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

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