First ECNEC meeting of new govt today, 17 projects on agenda

The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) under the new government led by Tarique Rahman will be held today (April 6), with 17 development projects up for consideration.

The meeting will commence at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, with the prime minister set to chair the session.

According to Planning Ministry sources, the proposed projects—covering river management, infrastructure, health and technology—have a combined estimated cost of Tk 13,161 crore.

An initial list of 18 projects was reduced to 17 after the proposed Padma Barrage project was dropped at the last moment. The project had been put forward to counter the adverse impacts of India’s Farakka Barrage, with a first-phase cost estimated at Tk 34,497.25 crore.

Of the 17 projects, nine are new, while an additional 33 projects already approved by the planning minister will be presented for information.

Key proposals include development of the Karatoya river system in Bogura and Gaibandha, construction of climate-resilient bridges in Mymensingh, emergency water supply in the capital, expansion of social infrastructure, establishment of IT training centres, border road construction, and medical college hospitals to improve maternal and child healthcare across eight divisions.

Sector-wise, the agenda includes four river and climate-related projects, five infrastructure projects, three road development projects, two medical and dental college hospital projects, and one each on technology development and public-private partnership.

Officials say the meeting is expected to outline the new government’s development priorities for the fiscal year.