ECNEC approves Tk7,713cr for 11 dev projects

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Sunday approved 11 development projects involving about Tk7,713 crore.

Of the total cost, Tk5,028 crore will come from government funds, Tk2,428 crore from project loans, and Tk257 crore from the implementing agencies’ own resources.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Prof Muhammad Yunus, was held at the NEC Conference Room in the Planning Commission.

According to official documents, the approvals include five new projects, three revised ones, and three time-extension projects without additional costs.

Key projects approved

The projects span critical sectors, including agriculture, education, health, housing, power, telecommunications, and local government.

In agriculture, ECNEC cleared a Tk143 crore project titled “Sustainable Agricultural Development in Rangpur through Extension of Modern Technology,” aimed at promoting productivity in the northern region. The project will run until 2030.

In the power sector, the Bangladesh Power Development Board received approval for a Tk1,818 crore project (including Tk1,081 crore in loans) to modernise and expand 33/11 kV outdoor substations in industrial areas.

The long-pending “BMRE of Carew & Co (BD) Ltd” under the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation was also approved in its second revised form, with a revised cost of Tk102 crore, to be completed by 2026.

In education, a long-awaited Tk519 crore project was approved to establish Rabindra University Bangladesh, fully funded by the government.

In health, ECNEC approved Tk816 crore (first revision) to set up burn and plastic surgery units at five medical college hospitals in Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Faridpur.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works secured Tk775 crore for constructing multi-storey residential flats for government employees at Azimpur Colony (Zone-C) in Dhaka. Similarly, the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate received Tk65 crore for building residential facilities for its officials and staff.

The local government sector saw two major approvals. The Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project secured an additional Tk2,827 crore in its third revision, raising the total project cost to Tk10,974 crore (Including Tk6,739 crore in loans). Separately, Tk44 crore was allocated (first revision) for expanding safe water supply and sanitation facilities in Bandarban municipality, three upazilas, and nearby areas.

In telecommunications, Tk62 crore was approved for establishing a telecommunication network at Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram, with the timeline extended until December 2025.

In the sports sector, the second phase of the Upazila-level Mini Stadium Construction Project was approved with an additional allocation of Tk1,206 crore in its first revision. With this, the project cost rose to Tk2,855 crore.

Other projects discussed

The meeting was also briefed on nine previously approved projects, including the 100% reliable electrification of Hatiya, Nijhum Dwip, and Kutubdia islands; installation of smart pre-paid meters under NESCO in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions; and infrastructure development in two municipalities of Barguna.

Other ongoing projects include disaster-damaged rural road rehabilitation in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, infrastructure improvement for the Langalbandh Maha Ashtami Holy Bath Festival, oilseed production expansion, rural infrastructure development in Sylhet division, the second phase of the Kopotakkho River waterlogging mitigation project, and skills-based literacy programmes for out-of-school adolescents.

The meeting was attended by Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud; Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul; Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury; Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan; and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, along with secretaries and senior officials from the relevant ministries.