UNB, Dhaka :
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved six development schemes involving Tk 2,007.68 crore including the Tk 828.56 crore ‘Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (Tranche – I)’.
The approval came from the ECNEC meeting held at the NEC conference room in city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with its chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Of the six projects approved, four are new while the two others are revised ones. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said that a total of six (6) development projects with total outlay of Tk 2,007.68 crore were approved on Tuesday. “Of the total cost, Tk 997.28 crore will come from the government exchequer while the rest Tk 1010.40 crore as project assistance,” He said that the ECNEC meeting approved the ‘Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (Tranche – I) involving Tk 828.56 crore, of which the government will bear Tk 186.16 crore while Tk 642.40 crore will come as project assistance.
Bangladesh Water Development Board is entrusted to implement the project by December, 2018. “The project mainly aims to protect the mass people and strategic points from the river erosion,” said the Planning Minister.
The day’s ECNEC meeting approved another project, titled ‘Irrigation Management Improvement (IMIP) for (Muhuri Irrigation Project) involving Tk 457.36 crore. Bangladesh Water Development Board will implement the project by June 2019.
The ECNEC meeting also gave nod to the ‘Integrated Water Management for West Gopalganj’ (Tk 122.14 crore). Bangladesh Water Development Board will also implement the project by June 2016.
Besides, ‘Construction of Postal Department’s Headquarters in Dhaka’ was also approved by the ECNEC with an outlay of Tk 54.72 crore. The Postal Department will implement the project by June, 2017.
In addition, the ECNEC meeting approved two revised projects – ‘Construction of Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road’ and ‘Construction of 217.15 meter PC Girder Bridge on River Sangu on Chimbuk-Ruma Road’ – aiming to boost tourism.
The Planning Minister said that the government is implementing the Marine Drive project to promote the country’s tourism sector.
Ministers, State Ministers, Members of the Planning Commission and secretaries concerned attended the meeting.
