Govt. plans constructing two more airports: PM

The government has undertaken a plan to construct two new airports in the country apart from modernization of the existing Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

Replying to a tabled question from treasury bench member Gazi Golam Dastagir during the question-answer session slated for the PM today, the prime minister said Nippon Koei Co. Ltd. is conducting the feasibility study of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib International Airport while land acquisition is going on for Khan Jahan Ali Airport at Begerhat.

Bangabandhu Intentional Airport would be a hub of civil aviation between east and west expediting country`s economic growth and Khan Jahan Ali Airport will establish quick communication between Dhaka and south and southwestern region of the country, the prime minister said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has constituted two committees to monitor the overall reform measures and development programmes of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Replying to a another question from Jatiya Party member Nurul Islam Omar, the prime minister said the Padma Bridge would be connected with Asian Highway-1 linking Dhaka-Khulna highway (N8).

Five bridges would be constructed on Bhanga-Bhatiya Para-Narail Jessore-Benapole road, eight bridges would be built on Ramgarh Baraiyahat highway and four bridges would be constructed on Chittagong-Cox`s Bazar for improvement of the Asian Highway in Bangladesh part,Sheikh Hasina said.

She said the Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for Regulation of Passenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) would come into effect after ratification by Bhutan.

The proposed routes of BBIN network are- Khulna-Jessore Benapole/Petrapole-Kolkata, Chittagong-Dhaka-Banglabandha-Fulbari Siliguri, Chittagong-Dhaka-Burimari-Chengrabandha-Siliguri,Chittagong Dhaka-Benapole/Petrapole-Kolkata, Guwahati-Shilong-Dawki/Tamabil Dhaka-Benapole/Petrapole-Kolkata, Sheikh Hasina said.

To implement the BBIN motor vehicle agreement, the prime minister said seven projects are being implemented for development of the country`s national highways.