RANGPUR, Oct 11, 2018 (BSS) – Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM
Shahjahan Kamal said Syedpur Airport located in Nilphamari district would be
turned into a regional aviation hub soon.
“We have already appointed foreign consultants and allocated fund to
conduct necessary infrastructural developments of Syedpur Airport towards the
direction,” he said while talking to local journalists at the VIP Lounge of
the airport yesterday evening.
The Minister said he came there to inspect progress of the ongoing
infrastructural development works at Syedpur Airport as directed by Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“The present government has already allocated Taka 32 crore for
construction of a new terminal Bhaban and Taka 22 crore for construction of
an apron for parking of two more aircrafts at Syedpur Airport,” he said.
Kamal said a letter has been sent to Nilphamari district administration
directing to take necessary steps for acquiring 912 acres of land for
expansion of the airport and the process is progressing fast.
“Currently, Syedpur Airport has 6,800 feet long runway. We are extending
length of the runway to 12,000 feet to pave the facilities for easy landing
and taking off of large bodied aircrafts,” he said.
He said Syedpur Airport would become an aviation hub not only for the
northern region, but would play key role in the air communication sector to
enhance regional investments, commerce and tourism in Bangladesh,
northwestern parts of India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, MP, Chairman of
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Public Administration HN
Ashiqur Rahman, MP, and Whip of the Opposition in Jatiya Sangshad Shawkat
Chowdhury, MP, accompanied Kamal.
Acting Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Air Commodore M
Mostafizur Rahman, its Chief Engineer Sudhendu Bikash Goswami and Manager of
Syedpur Airport Shahin Ahmed were present on the occasion.