Feasibility study underway for int’l airport in M’singh: Minister Millat 

MYMENSINGH, Nov 12:  A feasibility study is underway to assess the possibility of building an international airport in the Mymensingh region, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP,  has said.

However, the Bogura airport project will be implemented first as work on it has progressed significantly, he said, adding that the government plans to move forward with the Mymensingh project one to two years after work begins in Bogura.

The minister made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with local stakeholders at Rashedul Islam Conference Hall in Trishal on Thursday. 

The meeting was organised by the upazila administration to discuss the proposed airport and the development of Trishal as a modern tourism city. Mymensingh-7 (Trishal) MP Dr Md Mahabubur Rahman chaired the meeting.

Millat said a consultancy firm had already been appointed to conduct the feasibility study. It is examining the potential number of aircraft movements, landing directions, approach paths and the proposed airport's overall capacity.

Describing the project as a large and complex undertaking, he said internal government work was also underway.

The minister said Bogura's central location offered the potential to develop it into a cargo transport hub serving northern districts.

An airport in Mymensingh, meanwhile, could create new economic opportunities across the greater Mymensingh region and a vast area north of Dhaka, he said. Such a project would also generate employment and improve connectivity and infrastructure.

On international cooperation, Millat said aviation-sector collaboration with Turkey had been discussed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to the country. Turkish support could accelerate the development of Bangladesh's aviation sector, he added.

The minister also said discussions had taken place on establishing air connectivity between Cox's Bazar and Kathmandu, Malaysia and Kunming in China to attract more international tourists. 

However, the plan is to develop Cox's Bazar airport for tourism-oriented air connectivity rather than as a major international aviation hub.

Referring to development plans for Mymensingh, Netrakona, Sherpur and Jamalpur, he said the government was working to improve healthcare, connectivity and infrastructure, with particular attention to addressing the shortage of doctors in the region.

He also said preparations were underway to undertake rural infrastructure development projects worth at least Tk 500 crore in each parliamentary constituency. The volume of development work was expected to increase after December.

Highlighting Trishal's tourism potential, the minister said the declaration of Nazrul Year offered an opportunity to promote the country's cultural heritage and tourism. 

He pledged full cooperation in developing Trishal, associated with the life of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, into a modern tourism destination.

Millat also urged government officials, public representatives and journalists to work together to combat drug abuse and ensure effective coordination in implementing development projects.

Local representatives, government officials, political leaders and journalists attended the meeting.