A state audit has uncovered staggering financial irregularities totaling BDT 4,469.09 crore in the BDT 21,300 crore Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) Terminal-3 construction project in Dhaka. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh identified 27 distinct sectors of graft—including unauthorized bill payments, uncollected delay damages, and procuring saplings at 120 times the market price—prompting the government to pledge strict legal and administrative action against those involved.

Speaking on the audit findings, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam reaffirmed the administration's stance on accountability. "The present government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and financial waste. The allegations surrounding Terminal-3 expenditure are being reviewed with top priority, and exemplary action will be taken under existing laws against any responsible individual or organization," she stated.

Initiated in December 2019 under the previous administration, the project was awarded to the Japanese firm Aviation Dhaka Consortium (ADC). Funding for the mega-infrastructure was split between BDT 5,000 crore from the Bangladesh government and the remainder from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The CAG report highlighted a significant failure of institutional checks and balances, attributing it partly to a conflict of interest arising from the development partner, consultant, and contractor originating from the same country.

The audit revealed BDT 1,989.19 crore paid in variation bills without administrative or international contract authorization. Furthermore, project authorities failed to collect BDT 1,556.32 crore in liquidated damages for construction delays, while improperly disbursing BDT 217.70 crore in "catch-up" costs and BDT 44.23 crore for a "soft opening" ceremony not included in the original Development Project Proposal (DPP).

The report also detailed gross overbilling in logistics and procurement. Soil was dumped within two kilometers instead of the contracted six-and-a-half kilometers, causing an irregular expenditure of BDT 52 crore. Additionally, goods were imported from unauthorized countries instead of specified European suppliers, and BDT 3.47 crore was spent on 580 saplings—averaging BDT 59,851 per tree against a market rate of BDT 500.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), termed the finding an epitome of systemic corruption in infrastructure projects. "Mega projects have consistently translated into mega corruption. The investigation must rigorously assess whether the Japanese contracting firm shares liability alongside local officials, and ensure punitive measures accordingly," he said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism confirmed that an in-depth review of the CAG report is underway to identify the perpetrators, recover embezzled funds, and initiate criminal proceedings.