Three airport upgrades face delays

Three airport upgrade projects aimed at improving safety, capacity and operational efficiency have fallen behind schedule, raising concerns over further delays and higher implementation costs.

The project covering runway upgrades at Jashore, Saidpur and Shah Makhdum airports was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2020. But delays in design approval, coordination among agencies, administrative procedures and the tender process slowed implementation.

The project’s extended deadline expired in June this year, but around 27.74% of the work remained incomplete as of May, according to a recent report by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Ministry.

IMED said physical progress stood at 76.50% as of May 2026, while financial progress was 61.08%.

Saidpur Airport recorded 81.06% physical progress and Shah Makhdum Airport 82.12% up to April. Jashore recorded the lowest progress at 51.35%.

Several important components are yet to be completed, including airfield ground lighting, drainage improvements, security infrastructure and the procurement of some equipment.

The project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism at an estimated cost of Tk566.76 crore. The government and the implementing agency are jointly financing the project.

Initially, the project was scheduled to run from January 2021 to June 2023. Its deadline was later extended to June 2026 through a revision. With the revised deadline already expired, the remaining work is expected to require another revision, which could increase the project cost.

The project includes asphalt concrete overlays on 316,612.05 square metres of runways and taxiways at the three airports, with overlay thicknesses of 280mm, 210mm and 270mm respectively. It also includes installation of modern airfield ground lighting systems, drainage improvements and the purchase of three modern firefighting vehicles.

The airports have faced growing pressure from increased aircraft and passenger movement over the past decade. The ministry concerned said the bituminous surfaces of their existing runways were nearing the end of their service life, with problems including loose aggregate, cracks, depressions and surface deterioration, posing potential safety risks.

However, IMED identified several weaknesses and risks in the project’s implementation.

It found that a lengthy process from tender invitation and evaluation to approval and final contract signing had delayed the project. Such delays could increase construction costs, disrupt work schedules and raise the overall project cost, it said.

Cash-flow problems faced by contractors were also identified as a major weakness. IMED said financial constraints could prevent contractors from arranging the required manpower, equipment and construction materials on time, further slowing the work.

Weaknesses in construction-site management could also affect work planning, quality control and the efficient use of resources, potentially affecting both the project’s timeline and quality.

IMED also identified foreign exchange volatility as an economic risk. Higher fuel prices and depreciation of the local currency could increase construction costs and put pressure on both the project budget and implementation schedule.

Weak monitoring and accountability were identified as institutional risks. According to IMED, inadequate supervision could make it difficult to ensure construction quality, potentially affecting the long-term sustainability of the project and aviation safety.

Only one audit has been conducted since the project began, according to IMED. It raised a single audit objection involving Tk9 lakh, which remains unresolved.

\CAAB data show that the authority implemented 19 projects worth Tk2,766 crore over the past decade to expand airports and improve their operation and efficiency. Another 10 projects worth Tk31,811 crore are currently under implementation.