Overview of Approved Development Projects
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently approved a series of development projects, totaling Tk 7,150.21 crore. These projects are funded entirely from government resources and were approved during a meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in the Planning Commission.
Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson, presided over the meeting. The session included several key officials from various ministries and departments. Among those present were Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud; Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed; Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul; Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd); Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Power, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan; Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan; Health & Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum; Disaster Management Adviser Farooq E Azam and Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, among others.
Key Projects Approved
Among the approved projects, eight are new while two are revised. Additionally, two other projects received extensions of their implementation periods without any cost escalation. The following are some of the significant projects that received approval:
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Rural Development: Two projects under the Local Government Division were approved. One focuses on important rural infrastructure development in Manikganj district involving Tk 450 crore, and another for rural infrastructure development in Satkhira district involving Tk 1,930 crore.
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Agriculture Ministry: A project aimed at improving minor irrigation systems in haor areas of Kishoreganj and Netrokona was approved at a cost of Tk 164.94 crore.
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Education Sector: An infrastructure development project at Gazipur Agricultural University was approved, costing Tk 567.29 crore.
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Engineering Colleges: Additional funding of Tk 394.84 crore was approved for establishing one engineering college in each of Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions.
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Independence Monument: A revised project under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs for the construction of the Independence Monument at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka was approved.
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Health and Family Welfare: Three projects were cleared, including one regarding remaining activities under the completed 4th Sector Programme related to family planning and reproductive health; another for operational development of the Directorate of Health Education, NIPORT, and the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery costing Tk 211.90 crore; and a Tk 1,546.45 crore project for completing essential remaining activities of PFD, HEF, IFM, HRD, and SWPMM.
Additional Projects and Extensions
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Defence Ministry: A project for constructing ‘B’-type officers’ residential buildings at the Nirjhor residential area in Dhaka Cantonment, with a cost of Tk 177.80 crore.
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Road Transport and Bridges Ministry: A time extension was granted for the construction of the Kalia Bridge over the Nabaganga River on the Narail-Kalia district highway.
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Industries Ministry: Approval was given for additional expenditure of Tk 39.43 crore for the third revision of the BSCIC Industrial Park project in Tangail.
Other Approved Projects
The meeting also reviewed nine other projects approved earlier by the Planning Adviser. These include:
- Integrated feasibility study for the development of multi-tier educational institutions along with strengthening the Education Engineering Department
- First revised project for the development of selected non-government secondary schools
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First phase (first revised) project for the preservation and development of the graves of martyred freedom fighters and other freedom fighters
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Basic self-defence training project for youths
- Project to enhance the skills of IT-literate youths through artificial intelligence (AI) technology
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Project for Enhancing Coastal Resilience through Technology-based Forest Management
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First revised project for establishing an agricultural research centre of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute in Meherpur Sadar and strengthening related research activities
- Second revised Dhaka City Neighbourhood Upgrading Project (DCNUP)
- Second revised project for enhancing the technical and technological capacity of RAB