PM directs to create domestic airports well suited for night flights
Prime Minister Tuesday directed to upgrade domestic airports suitable for operating flights at night. The direction originated from a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held virtually with its Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The Prime Minister joined the meeting from Ganobhaban through a videoconference, while other Ecnec members were linked from NEC Bhaban.
“Four projects of three ministries were approved in today’s meeting. The full total estimated cost of the four projects is Taka 1668.29 crore,” said Planning Division Senior Secretary Md Ashadul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the full total cost, he said, some Taka 1,524.78 crore will be financed from the federal government fund, as the rest Taka 143.51 crore should come from the concerned organization’s own funds.
Among the four approved projects, three projects are fresh as the rest one is a revised project.
Discussing the project titled ‘Asphalt Concrete Overlaying on the Runway Surface of Jashore Airport, Syedpur Airport and Shah Makhdum Airport, Rajshahi’, the senior secretary said the project will be implemented from January 2021 to June 2023 at a price of Taka 566.76 crore.
The major project businesses include Asphalt Concrete Overlaying on the airport runway surfaces, upgrading of airfield ground lighting system, development of drainage system including runway side-strips, procurement of a modern fire extinguish vehicle for each and every airport.
During the approval of the project, Ashadul Islam the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to set up proper lighting system at the domestic airports in order that the flights can land and remove at night also.
“Since the utilization of the airports is on rise, it’ll have to install the lighting system there to ensure that the aircraft can land and take off there at night,” the premier was quoted as saying.
In this regard, the civil aviation and tourism secretary in the ECNEC meeting informed they have a plan to set up the lighting system in the airports on completion of the runway upgrading works.
The Prime Minister said the airports will have to be modernized properly in phases with their growing use following rise of economic activities due to establishment of economic zones.
Talking about the second project titled ‘Land Acquisition and Development for Solid Waste Management in Kadamrashul Area of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC)’ the Planning Division senior secretary said the project will be executed from January 2021 to June 2023 with around cost of Taka 301.35 crore.
The major project functions include acquisition of 69.87 acres of land, development of 446795 cubic metre lands, construction of 2600 metre boundary walls and 550 metre approach road, procurement of six motorcycles, five garbage trucks and one excavator.
Although the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) was likely to finance Taka 30.16 crore to implement the project, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to provide the complete project fund from the federal government.
She also asked the NCC authorities to be careful in order that the proposed landfill does not pollute water.
Commenting on another new project titled ‘Irrigation expansion in greater Dinajpur and Joypurhat districts through development of surface water’, the senior secretary said Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) will implement the project by June 2025 with an estimated cost of Taka 251.15 crore at 28 upazilas under four districts - Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Dinajpur and Joypurhat.
The major project businesses include re-excavation of 200km canal (33 canals), 60 water bodies, installation of 165 electricity or solar powered energy driven low-lift pumps (LLP), 165 underground irrigation lines, procurement of 165 pre-paid metres and construction of nine office buildings.
While giving approval to the project, Ashadul said the Prime Minister stressed the need for reducing the use of underground water aswell concerning preserve the river and rain water.
The ECNEC meeting also approved the very first revision of Madaripur, Shariatpur, and Rajbari districts Rural Infrastructure Development project increasing the price by Taka 549.03 crore and extending the timeframe till June 2023 instead of June 2022.
About the explanation of the price hike, person in Planning Commission Md Zakir Hossain Akand said almost all of the upazila and union connecting roads in addition to village roads cannot be developed completely due to fund crisis beneath the original project. “Now the roads will be developed completely under the revised project,” he said.
Besides, the rate schedule of 2016 was followed through the designing of the project, however the latest rate schedule will be employed in case of the rest of the works beneath the project now, he said.
While talking about the project, the Planning Division senior secretary said the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to help make the rural roads stronger in order that heavy vehicles can ply on those.
