21-storey building project at Secretariat scrapped

The proposed project to construct a modern 21-storey building at the Secretariat has not been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec). The project was presented at the Ecnec meeting on Sunday, April 26, but was ultimately not approved, according to concerned sources.

The proposed project was to be implemented by the Public Works Department, with an estimated cost of around Tk 649.25 crore. The primary objective was to create a modern and spacious working environment for administrative functions at the Secretariat.

The project included the construction of a 21-storey building with four basements, modern foundations, advanced electrical systems, water supply and sewage systems. It also planned for two sub-stations, generators, an advanced air conditioning system, multiple lifts, and modern security systems. Additionally, the building was to feature 20 conference rooms and modern meeting halls.

The Planning Commission had stated that a large number of officials, public representatives, and foreign delegates visit the Secretariat daily. The new building would have provided an additional 2.87 lakh square feet of space, which could have met a significant portion of the current demand.

With the project not being approved, the initiative to construct a new 21-storey building at the Secretariat has now been stalled.