The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved 22 development projects with a combined estimated cost of Tk 46,419.66 crore, most of which will be financed by the government exchequer.
Of the total allocation, Tk30,482.49 crore will come from government funds, Tk1,689.61 crore from project loans and Tk14,247.56 crore from the concerned organisations’ own resources, according to a press release from the Planning Ministry.
The approvals were given at an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Among the approved schemes, 14 are new projects, five are revised projects and three involve extensions of project tenure.
In the meeting, ECNEC approved a Tk 35,465 crore project under the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to modernise and expand Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), aiming to enhance Bangladesh’s energy security, ensure the production of cleaner fuels and reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
A total of three projects were approved under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.
These include construction of a connecting road from the Karnaphuli Tunnel (Anwara) to the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar National Highway up to Gachhbari; the first revision of the upgrading of the Hili (land port)–Dugdugi–Ghoraghat National Highway (N-521) in Dinajpur, including reconstruction of culverts and construction of rigid pavement and drains in market areas; and the first revision of land acquisition and utility relocation support for the four-laning of the Dhaka (Kanchpur)–Sylhet–Tamabil highway with separate service lanes on both sides.
The Housing and Public Works Ministry received approval for the second revision of a project to construct 672 residential flats in eight 15-storey buildings for government officers and employees at Aliganj in Narayanganj.
Five projects were cleared under the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry.
These include the establishment of the Dhaka WASA Training and Research Academy; a second revised project for waterlogging mitigation, safe water supply and infrastructure development in Sylhet City Corporation; the Climate Resilient and Livelihood Enhancement Project (CRALEP); development of important rural infrastructure in Patuakhali district; and widening and strengthening of key upazila and union roads in the Sylhet division.
The Defence Ministry secured approval for two projects — the revised infrastructure development of Mongla Commander Flotilla West and infrastructural development of the Army Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Savar.
In the social sector, ECNEC approved the revised reconstruction project of the Destitute Children Training and Rehabilitation Centre at Konabari in Gazipur under the Social Welfare Ministry, and the Education and Research Capacity Building project of the National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research (NIANER) under the Medical Education and Family Welfare Ministry.
The Education Ministry received approval for two projects, including development of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University and the third revision of the Bangladesh University of Professionals development project.
Four projects under the Water Resources Ministry were also cleared. These include sustainable water management of the Karnaphuli River and its linked rivers — Kachalong, Raikhiyang and Shalak — in Rangamati Hill District; urgent maintenance and rehabilitation of the Ganges–Kobadak irrigation project.
In addition, ECNEC approved the Sustainable Agricultural Development project in the Bogura agricultural region under the Agriculture Ministry and the second-phase Darul Arqam Islamic education management and consolidation project under the Religious Affairs Ministry.
The meeting was also informed about 10 projects earlier approved by the Planning Adviser. Advisers concerned attended the meeting, along with members of the Planning Commission and secretaries of the relevant ministries.
