Staff reporter :
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved 18 major development schemes involving a combined estimated cost of Tk16,003.77 crore.
The approvals came during Ecnec’s sixth meeting of the year, held Monday at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka, chaired by Chief Adviser and Ecnec Chairperson Muhammad Yunus.
According to the Planning Ministry, the financing for these projects will come from multiple sources. The government will shoulder the bulk of the cost Tk10, 101.1 crore while project loans will account for Tk5, 609.7 crore. Implementing agencies will contribute Tk379.31 crore from their own funds.
Alongside the routine project approvals, two major housing schemes both aimed at rehabilitating families affected during the 2024 July Uprising were also placed for Ecnec endorsement following strong recommendations from the Planning Commission.
804-flat housing complex for families of July martyrs
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works, through the National Housing Authority (NHA), has proposed the construction of the “36 July” residential complex on 5.08 acres of NHA-owned land in Mirpur Section-14 under Dhaka North City Corporation.
Designed to provide permanent homes for families of students killed during the 2024 mass movement, the Tk761.16 crore government-funded project is planned to run from January 2026 to December 2029.
The scheme features six 14-storey buildings with common basements and twelve 10-storey buildings, offering a total of 804 flats each measuring 1,355 sq ft. The buildings will include parking facilities and be built to earthquake-resistant standards approved by the Public Works Department.
The proposal was first submitted to Ecnec on 27 July 2025 but was deferred for further review. A revised version later underwent evaluation at a Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting on 19 October 2025. Once implemented, the complex is expected to provide secure, modern accommodation to bereaved families.
1,560-flat rehabilitation project for injured families
A second NHA proposal seeks to construct 1,560 flats for families of protesters who were permanently disabled during the 2024 movement and subsequently lost their ability to work.
The Tk1,344.41 crore project, to be financed entirely by the government, will be developed on NHA-owned land near Mirpur DOHS. Implementation is scheduled from July 2025 to June 2029.
Under the plan, 15 residential buildings—each 14 storeys high with a basement—will be built. Every floor will house eight 1,250 sq ft units.
Safety and convenience features such as parking spaces, lifts, substations, generators, solar panels, CCTV surveillance, and fire hydrant systems have been incorporated.
The PEC reviewed the proposal on 7 July 2025 and recommended it for Ecnec approval, noting its importance in ensuring dignified living conditions for families of those who suffered lifelong disabilities during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The Planning Commission affirmed that both housing projects are crucial for rehabilitating affected families and acknowledging their sacrifices with modern, secure, and well-planned residential facilities.
