ECNEC approves 8 projects worth Tk 2,266cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved eight development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 2,266.41 crore, covering key sectors including water resources, transport, health, education and energy.

The approvals came at the 12th ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presiding.

Of the total project cost, Tk 2,229.13 crore will be financed from the government's own resources, while Tk 37.28 crore will come from the implementing agencies' funds.

According to the Planning Ministry, the approved projects include three new projects, three revised projects and two projects granted time extensions.

In the water resources sector, ECNEC approved the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Barisal Irrigation Project (Phase-1). In the transport sector, it cleared a project to upgrade the Anwara-Banshkhali-Toitong-Pekua-Badarkhali-Chakaria (Eidmoni) Regional Highway (R-170) from Kalabibir Dighi to Eidmoni to proper standards and width.

The committee also approved a public administration project for installing lifts at circuit houses in 33 districts and at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Thakurgaon.

In the health sector, approval was given for the expansion of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute under Project-2, alongside the first revised phase of the project for establishing a cancer centre at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka.

Two revised projects in the education sector also received approval. These include continued support for the Madrasa Education Management and Information System (MEMIS) and the establishment of multimedia classrooms in 653 madrasas across the country.

In the power and energy sector, ECNEC approved a revised project aimed at enhancing the capacity of existing grid substations and transmission lines to improve electricity transmission and distribution services.

Planning officials informed the meeting that six additional projects, each costing less than Tk 50 crore, had already been approved by the Planning Minister.

These projects include water supply and sanitation facilities in 30 municipalities, waste management and traffic congestion mitigation initiatives under Dhaka South City Corporation, expansion of postal services, infrastructure development for the MES Training Cell in Dhaka Cantonment, the second phase of a project to eliminate child marriage, and the establishment of Paikgacha Agriculture College in Khulna.

The meeting was attended by several ministers and senior government officials, including Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other members of the ECNEC.

TZ