Dhaka //

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 13 projects on Tuesday with a total estimated cost of Tk 15,823.57 crore.

Of this amount, Tk 10,188.33 crore will come from government funding, Tk 5,252.96 crore from project loans, and Tk 382.28 crore from the implementing agencies’ own funds.

The projects were approved at a meeting held in the Cabinet Room of the Bangladesh Secretariat, presided over by ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The approved projects include eight new projects, three revised projects, and two projects involving time extensions.

State Minister for Planning Md. Junaid Ahmed Palak disclosed this information while briefing reporters after the ECNEC meeting held yesterday at the NEC Conference Room in the capital’s Agargaon area.

Among the projects approved at the meeting are two from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: “Integrated Health System Response to Fight Against TB, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria in Bangladesh” and “Establishment of Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital (1st Revised).”

The Ministry of Finance’s “Financial Sector Support Project-2 (FSSP-2)” also received approval today.

A project under the Ministry of Social Welfare was approved for the “Development and expansion of existing training centers for the physically disabled in Chattogram, Khulna, and Rajshahi divisions, and the expansion of hostel buildings and capacity at the institution for mentally disabled children in Roufabad, Chattogram.”

Two projects under the Ministry of Water Resources were also approved: “Integrated flood and river management and drainage system improvement in the Little Feni and Bamni river basins, including the construction of the Musapur Regulator (Part-1)” and “Protection of Shibpur, Dhaniya, and Medua areas in Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan Upazilas from Meghna River erosion.” The Ministry of Land’s project titled “Establishment of Digital Land Management System through Digital Land Surveys in 3 City Corporations, 1 Municipality, and 2 Rural Upazilas (2nd Revised)” has received approval.

Two projects under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives were approved: “Widening and Strengthening of Important Upazila and Union Roads in Rangpur Division” and “Rural Infrastructure Development in Madaripur, Shariatpur, and Rajbari Districts (3rd Revised).”

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism’s project, “Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Expansion Project (Phase 1) (3rd Revised),” was also approved.

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ project, “Enhancing Technical and Technological Capabilities of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) (2nd Revised),” received approval.

Additionally, two projects under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources were approved: “Land Acquisition for the Construction of a Solar Power Plant in Sonagazi, Feni District” and “Expansion of Power Networks in Three Hill Districts.”

During the meeting, the Planning Minister also apprised ECNEC of 15 projects—each costing less than Tk 50 crore—that had already been approved.

These projects include the vertical expansion of the existing building at Bangladesh International School and College (Nirjhor, Dhaka Cantonment); infrastructure construction for BAF Shaheen College at Air Force Base Kurmitola; infrastructure development for Cantonment Public School and College at Alikadam Cantonment; establishment and infrastructure development of government primary schools in Dhaka Metropolitan Area and Purbachal; establishment of BSTI regional offices in 10 districts; and the Rupsha 800 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant project. Additionally, the list includes the establishment of the UCEP-Institute of Labour and Employment in Mirpur; projects for climate-smart agriculture and water management; flood control and riverbank protection along the Dharla River in Kurigram; protection of both banks of the Kushiyara River in Habiganj; development of road and drainage networks in Mymensingh City Corporation; safe water supply across the country; and water supply and sanitation projects in 23 municipalities.

The list also features the upgrading of the Bhuyapur-Tarakandi district highway to appropriate standards and width, as well as a project in Chapainawabganj Municipality for surface water treatment, pipeline distribution, and safe sanitation.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan; Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud; Minister for Women and Social Welfare Prof. Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain; Land Minister Md. Mizanur Rahman Minu; Minister for Industries, Textiles and Commerce Khandaker Abdul Muktadir; Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie; Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat; Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain; Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Sheikh Rabiul Alam; the Governor of Bangladesh Bank; and other relevant senior officials.

They expressed their views.