Thakurgaon Airport: Revival after 46 Years to fulfill northern region's dream

The long-cherished dream and unfulfilled aspiration of the people in the northern region of Bangladesh is finally set to become a reality. After 46 years of abandonment, Thakurgaon Airport is on the verge of reopening, reports Check In, a digital media portal.

Beyond domestic connectivity, the government has undertaken an initiative to transform this airport into a modern "international hub" for air connectivity with India, Nepal, and Bhutan. According to a preliminary feasibility study conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), this mega-project is estimated to cost approximately Tk 10,000 crore (around $1.17 billion).

Historical background
The airport was originally constructed in 1940 on a vast expanse of about 550 acres of land in the Shibganj area of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. However, during the Indo-Pak war of 1965, its runway was severely damaged by airstrikes from the Indian Air Force. Following Bangladesh's independence, commercial flights resumed at the airport after renovations in 1977. But due to insufficient passenger numbers and persistent financial losses, its operations were completely halted in 1980. For the next 46 years, the airport faded into oblivion. The site has recently come back into the spotlight as part of the interim government's initiative to assess the feasibility of reopening eight abandoned airports across the country.

Master plan and development blueprint
According to the CAAB survey report, a detailed roadmap has been drafted to elevate the airport to international standards. The full implementation of the project is estimated to cost approximately Tk 9,871 crore and is projected to take at least four years. The current dilapidated 6,000-foot runway will be significantly expanded in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The development will also include the construction of a modern navigation system, a cargo terminal, a fire station, a control tower, and wide connecting roads. The proposed plan includes a state-of-the-art terminal building with the capacity to handle approximately 1.5 million passengers annually.

Land acquisition challenges
The airport currently sits on approximately 1,159 acres of land. However, for a significant period, a large portion of this land has been used by the army and air force for various training and project activities. Therefore, to develop a fully functional commercial and international-grade airport, the proposal includes acquiring an additional 856 acres of new land beyond the existing premises. The acquisition of this vast amount of land is expected to be one of the project's primary challenges.

Strategic importance and potential
From a geographical and strategic standpoint, Thakurgaon's location is of immense importance. The reactivation of this airport, situated near the border, could usher in a transformative change for the country's northwestern region. Specifically, it would establish a direct and cost-effective air link with India's northeastern states, Nepal, and Bhutan. This would create unprecedented opportunities for the overall communication infrastructure, agriculture, trade and commerce, and the tourism sector of the northern region.

Path to financing and implementation
Financing a project of this magnitude is not feasible for CAAB alone. Therefore, alongside government budgetary support, the option of seeking assistance from development partners or securing foreign loans is considered with the utmost importance. Stakeholders are optimistic that swift steps toward implementation will bring an end to the long wait for the people of the northern region within the next few years.