‘Closed airports to be reopened first’

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat has said that airports closed by the previous government will be reopened on a priority basis before taking up any new airport projects.
He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the conference room of the Jamalpur deputy commissioner’s office.
The state minister said several airports across the country remain shut. “The previous government closed them for various reasons. Airports in Thakurgaon, Nilphamari and Bogura were fully operational. They have been kept closed. We will reopen these first,” he said.
He added that if any new airport is planned in the future, it could be constructed in the Mymensingh division. “But before that, we need time to fix and restore the existing facilities,” he said.
Referring to airfares, Millat said the prime minister has instructed the ministry to reduce Hajj ticket prices. “The prime minister personally told me to look into why ticket prices are so high. Biman was a losing concern. But after reviewing the cost, we found that it is possible to make the airline profitable and also reduce ticket prices,” he said.
He expressed optimism that air ticket prices would be brought within people’s reach.
Addressing journalists, the state minister urged them to practice responsible journalism. “You may call white white and black black; we have no objection. But there should be no yellow journalism. False and misleading reports create disorder in society and cause harm to the country,” he said.
He further said the government has found many sectors in a fragile and weakened state. “There are signs of corruption in many areas. To overcome these challenges, we need more time and dedicated efforts,” he added.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Yousuf Ali. Among others present were Jamalpur-3 MP Mostafizur Rahman Babul, President of Jamalpur District Press Club MA Jalil, journalists Fazle Elahi Makam, Shuvro Mehdi and Khandakar Raju Ahmed Fuad.
Superintendent of Police Dr Chowdhury Mohammad Jaber Sadeq, Additional Deputy Commissioner Iftekhar Yunus and journalists from various media outlets were also present at the event.
LHL/AM