The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved eight development projects with a combined estimated cost of Tk2,266.41 crore, covering sectors ranging from water resources and transport to health, education and energy.
The approvals came at the 12th ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division Conference Room of the Secretariat.
Of the total project cost, Tk2,229.13 crore will be financed from government funds, while the remaining Tk37.28 crore will be provided from the implementing agencies’ own resources.
Planning Ministry officials said the approved package includes three new projects, three revised projects and two projects granted extensions for completion.
Among the major approvals, ECNEC cleared the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Barisal Irrigation Project under its first phase. In the transport sector, the committee approved the upgrading of the Anwara–Banshkhali–Toitong–Pekua–Badarkhali–Chakaria (Eidmoni) Regional Highway to proper standards and width.
A public administration project involving the installation of lifts at circuit houses in 33 districts and the deputy commissioner’s office in Thakurgaon also received approval.
In the health sector, the committee approved an expansion project for Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, alongside the first revised phase of a project to establish a cancer centre at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Dhaka.
Two revised education projects were also cleared. These include the continuation of the Madrasa Education Management and Information System (MEMIS) and the establishment of multimedia classrooms in 653 madrasas nationwide.
Meanwhile, a revised power sector project aimed at strengthening existing grid substations and transmission lines to improve electricity distribution services was also approved.
Planning officials additionally informed the meeting about six smaller projects, each valued below Tk50 crore, which had already received approval from the planning minister. These projects cover water supply and sanitation facilities in municipalities, waste management and traffic mitigation initiatives in Dhaka South City Corporation, postal service expansion, training infrastructure development, child marriage prevention efforts and the establishment of an agricultural college in Khulna.
The meeting was attended by several cabinet members, including Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury; LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir; Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku; Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid; Industries, Textiles and Jute, and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muqtadir; Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam; Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain; Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher; Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu; Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon; Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee; State Minister for Public Administration and Food Md Abdul Bari; and State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki.
Senior government officials responsible for implementing the approved projects were also present at the meeting.
