ECNEC clears 13 projects involving Tk 16,207.55cr

 
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday approved 13 development projects involving a total cost of Tk 16,207.55 crore. The projects cover urban infrastructure, railways, waterways, roads, rural development and renewable energy.

Of the total cost, Tk 10,600.80 crore will come from government funds, Tk 4,081.85 crore from project loans and grants, and Tk 1,524.91 crore from the implementing agencies’ own funds.

The projects were approved at a meeting held at the Cabinet Room of the Bangladesh Secretariat, with Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman in the chair.

Of the 13 projects, 10 are new, two are revised and one involves an extension of the implementation period.
Among the major projects, the ECNEC approved a Tk 784.49 crore scheme to improve road infrastructure and drainage systems in 18 wards under five newly incorporated areas of Dhaka South City Corporation. The government will provide Tk 549.15 crore, while the city corporation will contribute Tk 235.35 crore.

A Tk 1,602.79 crore project was approved for developing important infrastructure in different areas of Rangpur City Corporation. The government will finance Tk 1,121.95 crore and the corporation Tk 480.84 crore. Another Tk 210.49 crore project will rehabilitate damaged roads in Rangpur.

The ECNEC also approved a Tk 2,586.99 crore project for constructing and improving roads, drains and footpaths in zones 1 to 8 of Gazipur City Corporation. Government financing will amount to Tk 2,198.94 crore, with Tk 388.05 crore coming from the corporation’s own resources.

A Tk 184.88 crore project was approved for developing women’s skills and creating entrepreneurs through cooperatives. Another major Tk 3,767.50 crore project will improve rural infrastructure in Sirajganj, Bogura and Naogaon districts. The entire cost of the latter will be financed by the government.

The meeting approved the third revision of a project to procure 35 commercial and eight auxiliary vessels for the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and construct two new slipways. The revision raises the project cost by Tk 77.23 crore to Tk 2,168.88 crore from Tk 2,091.65 crore. Its original cost was Tk 1,319.71 crore.

For Bangladesh Railway, the ECNEC approved a Tk 2,769.86 crore project to procure 30 metre-gauge diesel-electric locomotives to expand operational capacity. Of the cost, Tk 811.38 crore will come from government funds and Tk 1,958.48 crore from project loans.

A Tk 211.30 crore project was approved to renovate and modernise the chancery building purchased by Bangladesh in Paris, France. The entire amount will come from government financing.

The ECNEC also approved a Tk 203.53 crore project to construct the Second Karatoya Bridge at the 15th kilometre of the Bhabanipur (Nijbari)-Atorkhari-Naguri-Amtali-Mirgarh-Panchagarh road. The project will be fully government-funded.

The second revision of the Thanchi-Rimakri-Modak-Likri road construction project was also approved. Its cost will increase by Tk 36.50 crore to Tk 889.62 crore from the original Tk 469.53 crore. The project deadline will be extended for the fourth time until June 2028.

Another major approval was a Tk 2,498.08 crore project to construct a 442MW peak solar power plant in Rampal. Project loans and grants will provide Tk 2,123.37 crore, while Tk 374.71 crore will come from the implementing agency’s own funds. No government financing has been allocated.