ECNEC okays 1,000-bed BD–China hospital
Staff Reporter:
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Sunday approved 25 development projects with a combined cost of Tk45,191.27 crore, including the establishment of a 1,000-bed Bangladesh–China Friendship General Hospital in the northern region of the country.
Of the total allocation, Tk10,881.40 crore will come from government funds, Tk32,018.09 crore from project loans, and Tk2,291.78 crore from the implementing agencies’ own resources.
The approvals were granted at an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room of the Planning Commission complex, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Among the key projects approved under the Health Services Division were the Tk2,459 crore Bangladesh–China Friendship General Hospital, aimed at providing advanced healthcare services to people in the northern region and neighbouring countries, and the Health and Nutrition Services Improvement and System Strengthening Project with an estimated cost of Tk8,700 crore.
Of the 25 projects approved, 14 are new, six are revised, and five involve
extensions of project duration. Under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, ECNEC approved two projects for widening and upgrading the Rangamati (Manikchhari)– Mahalchhari– Khagrachhari regional highway (R-162), as well as upgrading three regional highways and one district road under the Munshiganj Roads Division.
A revised project under the Housing and Public Works Ministry was approved for the construction of an elevated expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.
The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry received approval for two projects: strengthening the existing runway and taxiway at Shah Amanat International Airport and developing tourism facilities at Parki in Chattogram.
Two projects under the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry were approved to promote women entrepreneurship in sanitation and to develop key rural infrastructure in Cumilla district.
The Home Ministry secured approval for two projects, including the construction of police outposts, investigation centres, camps, naval police centres, railway police stations and outposts, tourist police centres, and highway police facilities across the country, along with the first-phase construction of district offices of the Department of Narcotics Control.
ECNEC also approved a revised Bangladesh Railway project for constructing a single-line dual-gauge railway from Dohazari via Ramu to Cox’s Bazar and from Ramu to Gundum near the Myanmar border.
The Youth and Sports Ministry received approval for a revised project to create employment through freelancing training for educated job seekers in all 64 districts.
Two revised projects under the Textiles and Jute Ministry were approved for establishing the Sylhet Textile Engineering College and the Sylhet Textile Institute.
The Primary and Mass Education Ministry’s project on providing alternative education opportunities for out-of-school children also received approval.
The Agriculture Ministry had two projects approved, including the Ashuganj–Palash Green Project and the third revision of the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project.
Six projects under the Water Resources Ministry were approved, focusing on sustainable river management, dredging and rubber dam construction, riverbank protection, erosion control, and integrated water and land resources management in several districts.
In addition, a revised project under the Science and Technology Ministry for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was approved.
The meeting was also informed about 10 projects costing less than Tk50 crore each that had already been approved by the Planning Adviser. These include development works at government colleges, Bangladesh University of Professionals, expansion of Fire Service ambulance services, construction of RAB headquarters, highway development in Narail town, and revision of the Saidpur 150 MW power plant project.
Meanwhile, the project previously titled the establishment of the permanent campus of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh has been renamed as the establishment of the permanent campus of Bangladesh Maritime University.