The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved three new development projects involving a total estimated cost of Tk 1,810.46 crore, including the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Barishal Irrigation Project.
The meeting, held at the Secretariat, was chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and other Cabinet members were also present.
In addition to the new projects, ECNEC approved revised proposals for five previously sanctioned projects. Of these, three projects recorded a combined cost increase of Tk 455.95 crore, while the remaining two received extensions of their implementation periods without any increase in expenditure.
The newly approved projects are: Barishal Irrigation Project Maintenance and Rehabilitation (Phase-I), with an estimated cost of Tk 282.77 crore. The project will be implemented over three and a half years from January 2026 to June 2029.
Upgrading the Anwara�"Banshkhali�"Toitong�"Pekua�"Badarkhali�"Chakaria (Eidmoni) Regional Highway (R-170) from Kalabibir Dighi to Eidmoni to the required standard and width, at a cost of Tk 1,183.67 crore. The implementation period is from July 2026 to June 2030.
Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute Expansion Project-2, with an estimated cost of Tk 344 crore, to be implemented between July 2026 and June 2028.
Among the five revised projects, three recorded cost escalations totaling nearly Tk 456 crore. These include: Capacity Enhancement of Existing Grid Substations and Transmission Lines (1st Revised) �" additional Tk 269.44 crore.
Construction of a Cancer Centre at Dhaka CMH (Phase-II, 1st Revision) �" additional Tk 165.63 crore.
Madrasa Education Management and Information System (MEMIS) Support Project (3rd Revision) �" additional Tk 20.87 crore.
The other two projects received fourth-time extensions of their implementation periods without any increase in project costs.
These are: Installation of Lifts at Circuit Houses in 33 Districts and the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Thakurgaon. Stablishment of Multimedia Classrooms in 653 Madrasas (3rd Revised).
ECNEC Informed About Six Small Projects. The meeting was also informed about six projects, each involving expenditures below Tk 50 crore, which had already been approved by the Planning Minister.
Meanwhile, a key infrastructure project intended to support the establishment of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara, Chattogram�"one of the most significant Bangladesh-China economic cooperation initiatives�"failed to secure ECNEC approval despite being placed before the committee after more than a decade of delays and complications.
The project carried a proposed cost of Tk 4,189 crore. However, according to officials, the project summary was not discussed during the meeting.
When the matter was brought to the attention of the Prime Minister, he reportedly suggested holding further detailed discussions on the project with Chinese representatives before taking a final decision. The proposal has therefore remained pending for the time being.
