ECNEC okays 12 projects worth Tk16,207cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 12 development projects involving Tk16,207.55 crore, including a 442MW peak solar power plant at Rampal.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Wednesday, approved 10 new projects, two revised projects and one project extension.

The government will provide Tk10,600.80 crore from its own funds, while Tk4,081.85 crore will come from project loans and Tk1,524.91 crore from implementing organisations’ own funds.

Seven of the approved projects are under the Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Ministry, covering road, drainage and urban infrastructure improvements in Dhaka South, Rangpur and Gazipur.

Under the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, ECNEC approved the 442MW peak solar power plant at Rampal, aimed at expanding renewable energy generation.

The meeting also approved projects for rural infrastructure development, women’s skills and entrepreneurship, and the second phase of the Important Urban Infrastructure Development Project.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation received approval for a revised project to procure 35 commercial and eight auxiliary vessels and construct two slipways.

Bangladesh Railway will also procure 30 metre-gauge diesel-electric locomotives under an approved capacity-expansion project.

Other approved projects include renovation and modernisation of Bangladesh’s chancery building in Paris, construction of the Second Karatoya Bridge in Panchagarh, and the second revised Thanchi-Rumaikri-Madak-Likri road project.

The ECNEC was also informed of a Tk50 crore project already approved by the Planning Minister to re-excavate rivers and canals in Joypurhat.