JHENIDAH, Apr 23: Construction work of Khanjahan Ali Airport in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat under greater Khulna district, which started in 1995, is yet to be finished.
Though with the development of high-tech communication media and rapid transportation system, the world has come closer, the affluent section of people in Khulna region as well as persons intending to reach Khulna on different purposes, especially on business one, cannot avail themselves of air travel opportunity.
A large volume of financial activities including export of jute, shrimps and other fisheries resources, is operated in Mogla seaport and economic zone. Besides, tourism industry is operative here.
Sources said once Khanjahan Ali Airport is established here, a congenial atmosphere for development of different industries, including tourism one will flourish with a fast communication system. Foreign investors will also be encouraged to invest in the area with trading transactions marking a remarkable increase.
Due to these logical reasons, the airport needs to be built fast, observed many elite of Khulna and Bagerhat districts.
Md. Habibul Haque Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Bagerhat, told this correspondent, "Khanjahan Ali Airport project is a PM-promised one. I hope the work of the project will restart soon.''
Md. Shukur Ali, Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat, told The Financial Express, "After joining my office here in Bagherhat on December 19, 2013, I visited the Khanjahan Ali Stol Airport site in January this year. As there has been a significant progress in earth filling in the runway, Tk. 40 billion to 50 billion will have to be spent to make the airport operative for landing a 50-seat aircraft here.''
"Later, I wrote a letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism highlighting the locality of establishing an airport on the site and urged them to take a move in this regard. I also talked to the secretary of the ministry who assured me of taking necessary measures", the DC added.
When asked about the latest development of the "Khanjahan Ali Stol Airport Project", Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Ziaul Haque told the FE, "Recently a feasibility study was done in Bagerhat. We discussed the airport project in Annual Development Project (ADP) review of the ministry on Tuesday. A decision will be taken soon.''
Khanjahan Ali Airport remains elusive to Khulna people
Our Correspondent | Published: April 24, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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