Economic Reporter :
The government has taken up a project to strengthen the country’s airport security system to comply with the international standard, sources said.
The Tk 9.0 million cost project will ensure uninterrupted air connectivity with the globe, passenger and cargo facilities as well as screening checkpoint in the three major airports of the country.
“We’ve taken the project to introduce modern screening technology in line with the requirement of United States, European Union and other countries,” Planning Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal said.
Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) is entrusted to implement the project in country’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Shah Amanat International Airport and Osmani International Airport by December this year.
Under the project, security personnel would be provided training and consultant would be hired to maintain the ultimate airport security.
In addition, different types of scanning and detective devices and system would also be procured to ensure international standard.
According to the Development Project Proforma (DPP), the government has adopted the project as per the recommendations passed by the experts of United Kingdom’s Transportation Department after visiting the security measures of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport recently.
Earlier, on January 5 this year, a meeting of the Prime Minister office (PMO) decided to take the project to ensure overall security of country’s airports.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) has put restriction of the direct air cargo. A web post on the UK government’s website on March 8 said, “As part of a set of interim measures, cargo will not be allowed on direct flights from Dhaka to the UK until further notice.”
Their recent assessments of the Hazrat Shahjalal airport found that some international security requirements were not being met, it added.
The UK has urged the government to inform it that what types of security measures are going to be taken by Bangladesh within March 31.
On the other hand, On December 19 last year, Australia banned air cargo from Bangladesh, citing the similar concerns.
