ECNEC clears 13 projects of Tk1,988cr
Staff Reporter:
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved 13 development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 1,988.09 crore.
The approval came at a meeting of ECNEC chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, held at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Of the total cost, Tk 1,885.07 crore will be funded by the government, Tk 53.02 crore will
come as project assistance, and the remaining Tk 50 crore will be contributed by the implementing agencies from their own funds.
Among the 13 approved projects, three are new, seven are revised, and three have been granted time extensions only.
The approved projects span multiple sectors, including agriculture, rural infrastructure, foreign affairs, power, and health.
The newly approved projects are: ‘PRO-ACT Bangladesh – Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar’, ‘Sustainable Rural Mud Roads through Herringbone Bond (HBB) Construction (2nd Phase) (Proposed 3rd Amendment)’, ‘Khulna Division Rural Infrastructure Development Project (3rd Amendment)’, ‘Renovation of Urban Landscape and Cultural Center Development Project in Jamalpur City (3rd Amendment)’, ‘Construction of Internal Roads, Drains, and Footpaths in Zones 01-05 of Gazipur City Corporation (3rd Amendment)’, ‘Uttara Block Development (1st Amendment)’, ‘Construction of Bangladesh Chancery Building in Canberra, Australia’, ‘Upgradation of Kishoreganj (Binnati)-Patuaria-Mirzapur Jalkal Highway to Appropriate Standard (1st Amendment)’, ‘Expansion and Modernization of Physical and Chemical Testing Laboratories of BSTI’, ‘Ghorashal 3rd Unit Re-powering Project (2nd Amendment)’, ‘Development of Mental Hospital, Pabna into an International Standard Mental Health Institute and Hospital’, ‘Rehabilitation and Quality Improvement of Level Crossing Gates in the Western Zone (4th Amendment) of Bangladesh Railway’, and ‘Eastern Zone (5th Amendment) Project of Bangladesh Railway’.
During the meeting, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud also briefed ECNEC members about 12 additional projects that had already been approved earlier.
These previously cleared projects include the Light Engineering Sector Development and E-waste Processing Facility Establishment Project, Capacity Enhancement of BGD e-Gov CIRT, Establishment of Schools for Children with Special Needs, and Increasing Irrigation by Removing Waterlogging in the Bhavdah Area.
Other notable earlier-approved projects feature a Pilot Project on Deep-Sea Fishing, a Vaccine Development Project to Prevent Freshwater Fish Diseases, and Initiatives for Modernizing Jute Production.
