The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved the Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Rail Link project at an estimated cost of Tk 477.81 crore, aiming to establish rail connectivity between Bangladesh and India through Akhaura and thus expand trade and commerce, reports, UNB.
The approval came from the weekly Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said a total of six projects were approved today involving an estimated cost of Tk 1,095.47 crore.
“Of the total project cost, Tk 674.71 crore will come from the national exchequer, while the remaining Tk 420.76 crore from project assistance,” he said.
All the approved six projects are new ones.
The Bangladesh Railway will implement the Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Rail Link Construction project by December 2018.
Of the total project cost, Tk 57.05 crore will come from the national exchequer while the rest Tk 420.76 crore will come as project assistance in the form of grants.
The main objectives of the project are to unveil a new path of trade and commerce through setting up rail communication between Bangladesh and northeastern region of India and facilitating economic development of the local entrepreneurs through development of export-based small enterprises.
The main project operations include construction of some 10.01 kilometres of dual gauge main line and 4.25 kilometres of dual gauge loop-line in Bangladesh part, some 56.51 acres of land acquisition, construction of three major bridges and 20 small bridges, installation of computerised electronic signaling system at 3 stations.
Of the total 15.054-km railway line, 5.050 kilometres will be set up in Indian part while the rest 10.014 kilometer in Bangladesh portion.
Starting from the Agartala Station in India, the railway track will merge at Gangasagar station on Akhaura-Chittagong rail section.
“Once this project is implemented, both Bangladesh and India will be benefited, and it is a perfect example of stride towards boosting connectivity,” he said.
The Ecnec meeting also gave nod to the ‘Bhairab River Basin areas water logging removing and sustainable water management development’ project with an estimated cost of Tk 272.82 crore to be entirely borne by the government.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board will implement the project by June 2021 in Chougachha, Jessore Sadar, Bagharpara and Abhoynagar upazilas of Jessore and Damurhuda and Jibonnagar upazilas of Chuadanga.
With the implementation of this project, the Planning Minister said, the productivity of some 22,000 hectares of land will get a boost as there will be no water logging in the areas, the minister said.
Besides, ‘Embankment reconstruction and protection work at sea dike portion of Polder No 68 in Shah Pori island under Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar district with an estimated cost of Tk 106.16 crore was approved at the meeting.
At the meeting, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the authorities concerned to build the proposed embankment in a stronger way and planting saplings alongside it.
The other projects approved at the meeting are ‘Protecting erosion of various infrastructures, drainage and development of irrigation facilities of Polder No 61/1 (Sitakunda), 61/2 (Mirsarai), 72 (Sandwip) in the coastal areas of Chittagong with Tk 95.40 crore and City-based marginal women development (2nd phase) project with Tk 86.15 crore and Construction of Bangladesh Public Service Commission secretariat complex construction project in city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area (8-11 storey) (3rd phase) with Tk 57.13 crore.
Ministers, State Ministers, Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned were present.
