Third terminal: A breeding ground of mega corruption
On October 7, 2023 the under-construction terminal-3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) was inaugurated by the ousted ex-prime minister through much fare. The past regime would put on this sort of shows of inaugurating mega projects just prior to the national elections to validate their hollow slogan of development and capture the electoral audience. The third terminal was meant to be operational by October 2024, a year after the inauguration. It is now evident that the work completion and operation are nowhere on the horizon. To reiterate the Khilgoan flyover was inaugurated roughly two years after completion whereas Mohakhali flyover was inaugurated six months before completion to precede a national election.
All these mega projects including the third terminal are breeding grounds for mega corruption. Corruption was the trademark of the ousted government. Corruption centred around sectors like energy, power and communication infrastructures received the most attention. However, the sectors that drew less national attention was the corruption in the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) projects. The project budget of CAAB in the past years dwarfed even the nationally hyped Padma Bridge project. While the project estimate for Padma Bridge stands at a staggering Tk 30,770.14 crore, the budget for CAAB projects stands combined at Tk 32,605 crore, whereas Tk 21,399 crore was sanctioned for the third terminal alone as per a report published in The Daily Star on April 9, 2023.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The extension of the existing capacity of HSIA with a terminal and parallel runway was hatched during the first tenure of the Awami League (AL) government, 1996-2001. An absurd dream of building altogether a new international airport on the outskirts of Dhaka city named "Bangabandhu Aviation City" was also conceptualised—a grand design with the aim of mega corruption in all sectors of state craft.
These projects were put into motion when Awami League returned to power in 2009. By 2023, the project cost of the third terminal jumped to Tk 22000 crore and the plan to build the parallel runway was dropped. Construction of the parallel runway would have allegedly negated the need to build a new airport. A big question remains as to why the projected budget kept increasing from original estimates that too with slashing the runway.
Whatever projects were undertaken, it was unjustly presented as Bangabandhu's dream and the third terminal project was no exception. Media shamefully heralded it as a dream project saying it was going to be the best airport in the world. But the reality speaks a different tale. To begin with, let us compare the cost of two terminals constructed almost at the same time: the one in HSIA, and the other Bangalore Kempegouda International Airport's (BKIA) second terminal. Whereas the project estimate for the third terminal was an astronomical Tk 22,000 crore, the most of BKIA's terminal was only at a cost of Rs 5000 crore or Tk 7,050 crore (at a conversation rate of Tk 1.41).
BKIA has become fully operational from January 2023. In contrast, only heaven knows when HSIA's third terminal will be completed and put into full operation. One can witness the beauty of BKIA's terminal by taking a video tour. But a glimpse at the third terminal can make us utterly frustrated and disheartened looking at the poor workmanship, though more money was spent in building it compared to BKIA. The third terminal project was adopted for loot by the people in the corridors of power.
A random sampling of some important compliments of an airport like boarding bridges, passenger escalators and lifts depicts the gross level of quality compromise. Many of these amenities have been procured from obscure companies in collusion with local suppliers, who had strong political ties. There is a concern that vendors and suppliers of critical high-value items are so obscure that they may not be traceable at the time of the need.
It is essential to set up a high-level inquiry to find the anomalies in procurement and calling those responsible to task. It would be naïve to think that there is a lack of resources, time and experts to drive an inquiry regarding corruption in the third terminal project. No corruption should go unpunished, and sector-specific task forces need to address this issue. Failure to do so will let the wrongdoers go scot-free for their crimes and similar corruption practice will go on unabated.
While dealing with past corruption is the call of the day, it is an absolute must to deter any chance of corruption and anomalies in future events. Ground handling is the most important aspect that the authority needs to pay full attention now. This crucial responsibility was given to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which raised many eyebrows. Terminal operators specifically Ground Handling Agency (GHA) must be selected through open tender for fairness. Many top-notch world-renowned GHAs would be keen to participate. It is important to pick the two most suitable GHA operators to break the current monopoly.
It is a fervent call to the head of the interim government, to bring accountability and punish the wrongdoers involved in the third terminal project. Most importantly we should pave the way for picking up the most competent ground handler for the third terminal through a fair, competitive and influence -free bidding. We rest our hopes with the head of interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Mofizur Rahman, retired group captain, is a commercial pilot and aviation management professional.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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