Trishal, Nov. 13 (V7N) – A feasibility study has begun for the proposed construction of an international airport in the Mymensingh region, with the government planning to move forward with the project after advancing work on the Bogura Airport, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has said.

Consultants have been appointed to assess the proposed airport's capacity, aircraft operations, landing directions and runway requirements, among other technical aspects, the minister said on Thursday (November 12).

Speaking at a consultation meeting in Trishal, he said the Bogura Airport project would receive priority as work on it had already progressed considerably. The government plans to move towards implementing the Mymensingh project within one to two years after work on the Bogura project begins.

The meeting, organised by the Trishal Upazila administration, was held at the upazila parishad conference room. Mymensingh-7 lawmaker Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman chaired the event.

Millat described the proposed Mymensingh airport as a major and complex undertaking requiring detailed technical assessments. The study is examining how many aircraft the airport could handle, the direction from which planes would approach and land, the extent of landing routes and the facility's overall capacity.

He said an airport in Bogura could serve as a cargo transportation hub for northern districts because of its central location. The government therefore intends to take that project forward first before proceeding with the Mymensingh initiative.

The minister said an airport in Mymensingh could create new economic opportunities across a wide area north of Dhaka, beyond the greater Mymensingh region. The project would also generate employment and encourage improvements in transport links and other infrastructure.

He added that cooperation in the aviation sector had been discussed during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to Türkiye. Support from Türkiye could help accelerate development in Bangladesh's aviation sector, and discussions with aviation experts were also planned.

Regarding Cox's Bazar Airport, Millat said the government was exploring air links with Kathmandu, Malaysia and Kunming in China to attract more international tourists. The plan is to develop the airport primarily to support tourism-related air travel rather than turn it into a major international aviation hub.

He also outlined plans to improve healthcare, communications and infrastructure in Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur and Jamalpur, highlighting the shortage of doctors in the region as a key concern.

The minister said preparations were underway for rural development projects worth at least Tk 500 crore in each parliamentary constituency, adding that the scale of development work was expected to increase after December.

Highlighting Trishal's tourism potential, he said the area's association with National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam offered significant opportunities for cultural tourism. He pledged support for efforts to develop Trishal into a modern tourist destination.

Millat also called for coordinated efforts by the administration, elected representatives and journalists to combat drug abuse, warning that it was harming society and the younger generation.

He further discussed government plans concerning investment, electricity, gas exploration, industrialisation, vehicle manufacturing, solar power and education.

Local elected representatives, government officials, political leaders, journalists and people from different professions attended the meeting.

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