525 high-rises near two Dhaka airports, Rajuk must act: CAAB

At least 525 high-rise buildings have been constructed in violation of permissible height limits within restricted airspace near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and the old Tejgaon airfield, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) disclosed today (7 August).

Addressing a press briefing in the CAAB office, the organisation's Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq said that it had documented these violations over the past decade but lacked the legal power to act.

"We've written to Rajuk several times," he said. "It's their job to take action against illegal buildings."

Initially estimated at "over 300," the final count of 525 structures was confirmed by Group Captain Noor-e-Alam, CAAB's Member for Air Traffic Management. These buildings fall within a 15-kilometre radius of the airports' flight paths and were constructed without proper clearance.

Milestone plane crash raises urgency

The issue has drawn renewed public concern following the recent Air Force jet crash near Uttara's Milestone School, which claimed 35 lives and left many injured.

While the crash prompted scrutiny of building heights in the vicinity, CAAB clarified that no structures near the crash site exceeded limits.

"The tallest building near Milestone is 135 feet. The permitted height is 150," a CAAB official confirmed.

Despite the rising risks, CAAB remains largely powerless in enforcement. Chairman Siddiq acknowledged institutional limitations and pledged stronger oversight.

"I won't claim CAAB is free of corruption," he said. "But we're committed to firm measures; no one will be spared for wrongdoing."

Rajuk's role under scrutiny

Responsibility to enforce the building code lies with Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), which approves building permits. But inconsistencies in approval processes have allowed many buildings to rise unchecked.

"Many developers received initial clearance from CAAB, and we granted permits accordingly," said Md Amdadul Hoque, Superintendent of Rajuk's Development Control Wing.

"But some exceeded approved heights. In some cases, CAAB gave 80 feet clearance, in others, 100. This created confusion."

Rajuk has proposed forming an inter-ministerial committee to investigate and coordinate remedial action. Until that happens, the 525 structures remain a major threat to aviation safety and a symbol of regulatory failure in Dhaka's urban planning.

Terminal 3 launch and Cox's Bazar airport in focus

Shifting focus to infrastructure, the CAAB chairman said his top priority is the swift launch of Terminal 3 at HSIA, a major aviation project meant to significantly boost capacity.

"Everyone is watching the third terminal," Siddiq said. "That's why launching it without delay is my first big challenge."

Talks with the Japanese consortium regarding terminal operations are still ongoing. Although 99% of the construction is reportedly complete, no formal launch date or agreement has been confirmed.

The chairman also announced that the Cox's Bazar International Airport is nearing readiness, although some infrastructure works are still in progress.

First flight uses terminal 3 boarding bridge and docking system

On 4 August, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight became the first to use the boarding bridge and visual docking guidance system (VDGS) at HSIA's Terminal 3.

The VDGS is an automated system that helps pilots align aircraft precisely at the gate, enhancing safety and turnaround efficiency. Biman hailed it as a "milestone" for the new terminal's readiness.

Several experimental services are now live at the terminal. Once fully operational, Terminal 3 will triple the airport's capacity, handling up to 24 million passengers annually, up from the current 8 million, and expanding cargo capacity beyond 500,000 tonnes.