PM inaugurates construction work of Cox\\\'s Bazar Int\\\'l Airport
Thursday, 2 July 2015
The work on the much-sought Cox's Bazar International Airport Construction Project formally began on Thursday, aiming to expand the country’s tourism sector by attracting more and more international tourists.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the construction work through videoconferencing from her official residence Ganobhaban, a news agency report said.
This will be the country’s 4th international airport after Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong and Sylhet Osmani International Airport.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain spoke on the occasion from the airport premises in Cox's Bazar. Local MPs and other dignitaries were present.
Waresat Hossain Belal, Bir Protik, MP, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Khorshed Alam Chowdhury were present at Ganobhaban during the videoconferencing.
According to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, the Tk5.78 billion project will be completed within 30 months. Once completed, spacious aircraft like Boeing 777 could be operated from the airport.
Under the project, the existing runway length will be extended to 9000 feet from 6775 feet while the width to be expanded to 200 feet from the existing 150 feet alongside boosting the strength of the runway, setting up of airfield lighting system for takeoff and landing at night, procurement of firefighting vehicles and installing other necessary equipment.
To rehabilitate over some 4,400 families living in the airport area, some 245 four-storey buildings will be constructed in Khurushkul area on the east bank of the Bakkhali River on 253 acres of land with necessary amenities, including educational and other social institutions.
Some 5,000 metric tonnes of wheat have already been allotted from Ashrayan-2 project to fill up some 41 acres of land with earth.
Besides, a bridge will be built over the Bakkhali River with Tk 2 billion under the project while Tk 2.1 billion has been earmarked kept for land development and construction of a damn to be implemented by the LGED and the Water Development Board.
Later, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister and Housing and Public Works Minister unveiled the plaques of Cox's Bazar International Airport Construction Project on behalf of Prime Minister.