Dhaka, Aug. 2 -- British hotel magnate Surinder Arora has submitted a competing proposal to expand Heathrow Airport, challenging the airport operator's own plan.

Arora's "Heathrow West" project, unveiled on July 31, includes a new terminal and a 2,800-metre third runway - shorter than Heathrow's 3,500-metre plan - aimed at avoiding the costly diversion of the M25 motorway. The proposal, developed with global firm Bechtel, is projected to cost under £25 billion and be operational by 2035.

"Our shorter runway is better suited to modern aircraft and offers a cost-effective, lower-risk solution," Arora Group said.

Heathrow's 2018 estimate for its own expansion was £14 billion, though costs are expected to rise significantly due t...