ECNEC okays 14 projects worth Tk 13,445 crore

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Sunday approved 14 development projects with a total estimated cost of Tk 13,445.41 crore.

These projects aim to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and economic stability across the country.

The decision was made at an ECNEC meeting held at the Cabinet Division conference room in Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Of the projects, five are new, five have been revised and four have been given more time to complete.

Out of the total cost, Tk 8,089.56 crore will come from government funds, Tk 5,340.26 crore from loans, and Tk 15.59 crore from the organisations involved.

Major projects include “Expanding Access to Integrated Health Care for the Urban Population” under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and a revised “Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project (1st Revision)” under the Ministry of Finance.

In the fisheries and livestock sector, a revised project on “Eradication of PPR Disease and Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (3rd Revision)” was also approved.

The transport sector received significant focus with five projects approved under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.

These are Construction of five climate-resilient bridges in Mymensingh division, Border road construction project (Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban hill districts), Phase-2, Upgrading  Bairagirpul (Barishal)–Tumpchar–Bauphal (Patuakhali) regional highway (Z-8910) (1st revised), Upgrading Barishal–Bhola–Laxmipur national highway (N-809) from Barishal (Char Kauwa) to Laxmmipur via Bhola (Ilisha ferry ghat) (1st revised) and Construction of Goma Bridge over the Rangamati River at the 14th km of the Barishal (Dinarer Pul)–Lakshmipasha–Dumki road (1st revised)”.

Among these, a decision has been taken to form an investigation committee with the Cabinet Secretary as the convener to investigate why the duration of three projects among the five has been extended five times.

The Local Government Division received approval for four projects.

The projects are Resilient Infrastructure for Adaptation & Vulnerability Reduction (RIVER) Project (1st Revision), Construction of housing for sanitation workers under Chattogram City Corporation (1st revised),  Infrastructure development of Dhaka South City Corporation (2nd revised), and Emergency water supply in Dhaka city.

The ECNEC also approved two important railway projects, including  Maintenance and rehabilitation of railway tracks in the western zone of Bangladesh Railway (Phase-1) and Construction of a broad-gauge railway line from Madhukhali to Magura via Kamarkhali (1st revision)”.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, among others, attended the meeting, reports UNB.