DHAKA: Paperwork got going at government initiative to establish the proposed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Airport through public-private partnership (PPP), a newly devised development paradigm now being practiced around the global by combining the two sectors in a synergy.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism sent a letter to the cabinet committee on economic affairs on August 22 seeking approval for implementation of the mega-project through PPP.

The letter, signed by Shafique Alam Mehedi, acting secretary of the ministry of Civil Aviation, says, “It would be logical to implement the project through PPP as a huge amount of money is involved in it.”

Confirming the ministry proposal Shafique Alam Mehedi told banglanews24.com.bd that, according to the technical committee formed for the proposed airport, minimum Tk 50,000 crore will be needed to implement the scheme.

“As it is impossible to bear the expenditure by government alone, the proposal for PPP has been submitted,” he said.

Asked about the process of implementation through PPP, the secretary said, “Initially, we have just asked for approval of the cabinet committee for economic affairs. Prior to the approval nothing could be disclosed.”

Ministry sources said the nine-member technical committee headed by member (finance) of the Civil Aviation Authority has already submitted a report after thoroughly examining the possible sites for the proposed airport, its communications, preliminary design and approximate cost.

In the report the committee has proposed three probable places for the new airport. One is on two thousand six hundred hectares of land of Trishal, Amirbari, Mokkhopur and Mathbari unions of Trishal upazila in Mymensingh. Another proposal includes two thousand six hundred hectares of land of Rampal, Kanihari, Kathal and Boila unions of the same upazila. The third proposed site is 30-kilometer-long and 10-kilometer-wide char area under Bhuapur upazila of Tangail district.

The letter to the cabinet committee says Shajalal International Airport that handles 80 percent of the total air passengers of the country is overloaded.

Besides, for a lack of space in the boundary buildings, five-tier security system cannot be activated in this airport. “In this circumstance, the government actively considers establishing a new world-class airport in the country.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved the name of the proposed airport as `Bangubandhu Sheikh Mujib Airport’ in principle, the letter mentioned.

Building a new airport has also been included as a priority in the National Poverty Reduction Strategy (second phase) 2009- 2011, says the letter.

BDST 1816 HRS, AUG 25, 2010