ECNEC approves 13 projects worth Tk 15,823cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 13 development projects at a cost of Tk 15,823.57 crore. Among the approved projects, eight are new, three are revised and two involve proposals to extend project periods.

The projects were approved at a meeting held at the Cabinet Room of the Secretariat on Tuesday, September 29, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman. After the meeting, State Minister for Planning Md Junaid Abdur Rahim Saki briefed journalists on the projects at the NEC building.

Of the total expenditure of the approved projects, Tk 10,118.33 crore will come from the government's own funds, Tk 5,252.96 crore as project loans and Tk 382.28 crore from the concerned organisations' own financing.

Two projects of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were approved. These include strengthening the integrated health system to tackle tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria in Bangladesh, and the first revision of the Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital establishment project. Additionally, the Finance Ministry's Financial Sector Support Project-2 was approved.

Under the Ministry of Social Welfare, projects have been taken for the development and expansion of training centres for the physically challenged in Chattogram, Khulna and Rajshahi divisions, and expansion of the hostel of the institution for mentally challenged children in Roufabad, Chattogram. Among the two projects of the Ministry of Water Resources are flood management and drainage development in the small Feni and Bamni river basins, and an initiative to protect the Shibpur, Dhania and Medua areas of Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan upazilas from Meghna river erosion.

Additionally, a revised project of the Ministry of Land to launch digital land management in three city corporations, one municipality and two rural upazilas through digital land surveys was approved. Among the two projects of the Ministry of Local Government are the widening and strengthening of important upazila and union roads in Rangpur division, and the third revision of the rural infrastructure development project in Madaripur, Shariatpur and Rajbari.

The third revision of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport expansion project of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism was also approved. Alongside this, a second revised project to increase the technical and technological capacity of SRB under the Ministry of Home Affairs was taken up. Among the two projects of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources are land acquisition for the construction of a solar power plant in Sonagazi and expansion of the power network in three hill districts.

Meanwhile, the ECNEC meeting was also informed about 15 more projects costing less than Tk 50 crore that have already been approved by the Planning Minister. Among these projects are the expansion of the building of Bangladesh International School and College in Dhaka Cantonment, infrastructure development of BAF Shaheen College, infrastructure development of Alikadam Cantonment Public School and College, and establishment and infrastructure development of government primary schools in Dhaka metropolis and Purbachal.

The list also includes the establishment of BSTI regional offices in 10 districts, the Rupsha 800 MW combined cycle power plant, the Mirpur UCEP Institute of Labour and Employment, climate-smart agriculture and water management, and the Teesta river flood control and bank protection project.

Additionally, the list includes the Kushiyara river bank protection, road and drainage development of Mymensingh City Corporation, safe water supply across the country, water supply and sanitation in 23 municipalities, Bhuanpur-Tarakandi district highway development, and water supply and safe sanitation in Chapainawabganj municipality.