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A feasibility study has begun for the construction of an airport in the Mymensingh region, with consultants appointed to assess its operational capacity, flight routes and other technical requirements, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said on Thursday.
The minister made the remarks at an exchange-of-views meeting with stakeholders in Trishal, Mymensingh, on plans to build an international airport and develop the area into a modern tourism city.
The meeting was held at the Rashedul Islam Conference Hall, organised by the upazila administration, with Mymensingh-7 lawmaker Dr Md Mahabubur Rahman in the chair.
Millat said the ongoing study was examining how many aircraft the proposed airport could accommodate, the approach routes for landing, the length of landing paths and the airport’s overall operational capacity.
“This is a large and complex project, and internal government activities are also underway,” he said.
However, he made it clear that the Bogura airport project would be implemented first, as work on that initiative had progressed considerably.
He said Bogura’s central location offered the potential to develop an air cargo hub serving northern districts. The government plans to move forward with the Mymensingh airport project one to two years after work begins on the Bogura project.
According to the minister, an airport in Mymensingh could create new economic opportunities across a wider northern region beyond greater Mymensingh, generating employment and encouraging improvements in transport links and other infrastructure.
“If I can implement this project during my tenure, it will be a milestone in my life,” he said.
Speaking about international cooperation in aviation, Millat said the issue of collaboration in the sector had been discussed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Türkiye.
He said Turkish assistance could accelerate the development of Bangladesh’s aviation sector, adding that initiatives were being taken to hold discussions with aviation experts on the matter.
The minister also outlined plans to attract more international tourists through Cox’s Bazar airport.
He said discussions had taken place on establishing air connectivity with Kathmandu, Malaysia and Kunming in China to facilitate tourist travel.
However, the government plans to develop Cox’s Bazar airport primarily as a tourism-oriented aviation hub rather than transform it into a major international airport.
Tk500 crore rural development plan for each MP
Highlighting broader development plans for greater Mymensingh, the minister said initiatives would be taken to improve healthcare, transport and infrastructure in Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur and Jamalpur.
He said the shortage of doctors in these areas was receiving particular attention and that steps were being taken to address the problem.
Millat also said preparations were underway to undertake at least Tk500 crore worth of rural development projects in each parliamentary constituency through its elected MP. He expected the scale of development activities to increase further after December.
The minister described Trishal, closely associated with the life and legacy of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, as an area with significant tourism potential.
He said the declaration of a Nazrul Year would help promote the country’s cultural heritage and tourism, pledging full cooperation with the local MP’s initiative to develop Trishal into a modern tourism destination.
He also called on the administration, elected representatives and journalists to work together to combat drug abuse, warning that it was damaging society and the younger generation.
Millat stressed the need for effective coordination between government officials and political leaders to ensure development projects prioritise public interests.
He also highlighted planned initiatives in investment, electricity, gas exploration, industrialisation and education, including projects involving automobile manufacturing and solar power.
Local elected representatives, government officials, political leaders, journalists and representatives of different professions attended the meeting.