Published : 29 Sep 2026, 09:14 PM
Updated : 29 Sep 2026, 09:14 PM
Shahjalal International Airport’s long-awaited third terminal is almost at the finish line, but the project itself has moved it farther away.
With construction 99.93 percent complete and a partial opening announced for Dec 16, the government has approved another cost overrun and a one-year extension.
The third revision, approved Tuesday by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), adds Tk 8.48 billion to the bill, taking the total project cost to Tk 222.13 billion.
The deadline has also been pushed to June 2027.
The planning ministry said financial progress stands at 95.23 percent, against 99.93 percent physical progress.
The fresh increase drew questions at a briefing in Agargaon, where State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki and Planning Secretary SM Shakil Akhtar explained why more money and time were needed with less than 1 percent of construction still unfinished.
Shakil pointed to essential facilities that remain incomplete.
“A place like the third terminal must have internet facilities. How can operations run if high-speed internet is missing? Immigration instruments were also missing from the project. How can we inaugurate it with these things missing?
“We will partially inaugurate it on Dec 16. But we have sought additional cost and time to complete the work that must be done.”
Saki later gave a breakdown of the increase, saying Tk 6.67 billion would be needed for 30 months of maintenance from January 2026 to June 2027.
Although the terminal has not begun operations, maintenance expenses are already being incurred, while outstanding payments for advancing the work also need to be settled.
Another Tk 2.95 billion was added following a recommendation by a compromise settlement committee to resolve disputes stemming from a change of contractor.
The remaining work includes facilities for important and very important persons, cargo transportation and handling systems, testing of cargo handling arrangements, testing of water and sewage treatment plants, and the power supply system for explosive detection equipment.
Consultancy costs for supervising equipment maintenance have also risen by Tk 200 million.
At the same time, expenditure under the government-funded component, including CD, tax and VAT, has fallen by Tk 1.34 billion. Overall, however, the project cost has increased by Tk 8.48 billion.
The ECNEC meeting also approved 12 other projects, bringing the total approved projects to 13 at a combined cost of Tk 158.24 billion.
Of this, Tk 101.18 billion will come from government funds, Tk 52.53 billion from project loans or grants and Tk 3.82 billion from agencies’ own funds.
Eight projects are new, three revised and two have received extensions.
A Tk 40.39 billion project to strengthen integrated health systems against tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria was approved for July 2026-June 2029.
The Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital project received its fourth extension, taking its deadline to December 2027. Its original cost was Tk 5.84 billion, while its first revision set it at Tk 6.51 billion.
Financial Sector Support Project-2, to be implemented by Bangladesh Bank and the Financial Institutions Division, was approved at Tk 12.76 billion for July 2026-June 2031.
A Tk 3.08 billion project will develop and expand existing physical disability training centres in Chattogram, Khulna and Rajshahi and establish, expand and strengthen institutions for children with intellectual disabilities.
It will run from October 2026 to September 2029.
Two water-management projects were approved.
One, costing Tk 7.52 billion, will improve integrated flood, river-management and drainage systems in the Small Feni and Bamni river basins, including construction of the Masdar regulator.
Another, costing Tk 6.05 billion, will protect Shibpur, Dhania and Medua areas of Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan from Meghna erosion.
A Tk 49.5 billion project will widen and strengthen key Upazila and union roads in Rangpur from July 2026 to June 2030.
The third revision of a rural infrastructure project covering Madaripur, Shariatpur and Rajbari raised its cost from Tk 15.6 billion initially to Tk 21.09 billion after the first revision and Tk 25.12 billion after the second. It now stands at Tk 25.15 billion.
The second revision of a project to strengthen the technical and technological capacity of the newly formed SRB following RAB’s dissolution was also approved, with both its cost and duration increased.
In the power sector, ECNEC approved Tk 211.4 million for land acquisition for a solar power plant in Sonagazi, Feni, and Tk 29.1 billion to expand electricity networks across the three hill districts from July 2026 to June 2031.
A second revised digital land-management project covering three city corporations, one municipality and two Upazilas was also approved. Its cost has risen by Tk 1.11 billion to Tk 5.05 billion.
