My experience at ZIA
I am a non-resident Bangladeshi living in Europe. Recently I visited my home country. On my arrival at ZIA International Airport I was very dismayed and disheartened while passing through the terminal building. On entering one of the rest rooms near a boarding gate, I found it was dirty and in an appalling state. Inside the toilet there was no toilet paper and not even a coat hook to hang jackets/overcoats etc Water and litters were all around. Even toilet flush was inoperative. It was so disgusting and distasteful for a visitor entering the country.
Then I was thirsty and looked for water coolers as is available in most of the international airports outside the rest rooms. But no simply it was not there. When I asked one of the airport staff he sarcastically replied that I have to purchase water bottles after leaving the building. When I asked him as to what happens during the month of holy Ramadan, he, with a smile on his face, told me. “ Sir, no drinking water was available at this building whether it was holy month of Ramadan or not.” I was surprised since Bangladesh is predominantly supposed to be a Muslim country.
It seems some non-professionals are managing this airport. Would the airport authorities be more vigilant and maintain the airport like any other international airport in the world? The airport authorities/ civil aviation do not hesitate to tax the airlines and the passengers right and left but hardly care about the standard of the airport and passengers' convenience. Else, how could the largest airport of the country lack such basic facilities and is manned in such a despicable way?
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