The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Sunday approved 12 development projects with a combined outlay of Tk 8,149.38 crore, including a landmark project for the modernisation of Dhaka University, estimated at Tk 2,840.39 crore.
The approvals came during ECNEC's 12th meeting under the interim government and its first in the 2025–26 fiscal year, held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the session.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said that of the total cost, Tk 8,058.77 crore will come from the government, Tk 143.33 crore from project assistance, and Tk 52.72 crore from implementing agencies' own funds.
Of the 12 projects, six are new, four are revised, and two have received time extensions without cost increases.
The Dhaka University development project is the most significant among the approved schemes. It aims to overhaul the university's academic and residential infrastructure. The initiative includes construction of six academic buildings, nine residential halls (four for female students and five for male students), two residential buildings for faculty and officers, and five additional facilities, including a stadium and swimming pool.
“The project was initiated in response to a directive given to the university’s new administration to prepare a long-term master plan,” said Dr Mahmud. He emphasized that the plan aims to meet rising demand while preserving historical structures such as Curzon Hall and SM Hall.
The ECNEC directed that residential facilities for female students be prioritized and highlighted the need for multi-storey construction to ensure optimal land use.
The Planning Adviser noted concerns over contractors abandoning projects after the recent government transition. He cited an upcoming report from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), expected to reveal causes of delays, lapses in oversight, and misuse of advance payments during the previous regime.
The controversial Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project was criticized as “unplanned.” Dr Mahmud proposed forming a committee of technical experts to review its feasibility, planning process, and rationale. He also floated the idea of repurposing the BRT lanes as rapid toll lanes.
Meanwhile, a proposed project to build flats for families of the July Uprising martyrs was withdrawn for further evaluation.
The other projects approved in the meeting are--- Establishment of 20 Fire Service and Civil Defence Stations (12 New and 8 Reconstruction) in important locations of the country at a cost of Taka 650.96 crore, Development of Logistics and Fleet Maintenance Facilities for Bangladesh Coast Guard (2nd Revised) at an additional cost of Taka 173.21 crore, Rural Sanitation Project involving Taka 1,989.82 crore, Excavation of Canal from Bahaddarhat Baroipara to Karnaphuli River (3rd Revised) at a reduced cost of Taka 19.40 crore, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Railway Lines in the Eastern Region of Bangladesh Railway forTaka 1,791.66 crore, Construction of Officers' Mess and BOQ for DSCSC at Mirpur Cantonment (1st Revised) at an additional cost of Taka 75.45 crore, Road Construction Along the Bank of the Karnaphuli River from Kalurghat Bridge to Chaktai Canal (2nd Revised) with an additional cost of Taka 469.15 crore, Income Generating Activities (IGA) Training for Women at Upazila Level (Phase 2) for Taka 395.83 crore,
Expansion of Museum Building and Construction of Other Infrastructure of Bangladesh Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation (1st Revised) at an additional cost of Taka 12.89 crore, Strengthening of Research on Tuber Crops at a cost of Taka 100 crore and Smart Pre-Payment Metering Project in Distribution Zones of BPDB (1st Revised) at an additional cost of Taka 151.43 crore.
In addition, 18 previously approved projects were reviewed, and titles of two projects were amended.
Advisers, Planning Commission members, and relevant secretaries were present at the meeting.
