BSS, Rajshahi :
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has been implementing 5720 schemes involving Taka 1765.22 crore in eight districts under Rajshahi division during the current 2013-14 fiscal year.
According to the LGED sources, work on 1610 schemes was completed benefiting many people while implementation of 4110 others is going on in full swing.
The districts, where the development projects are being implemented, are Rajshahi, Chapainawbganj, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogra and Joypurhat. A total of 955 schemes under ‘Important Rural Infrastructure Development Project’ are being executed on a priority basis by spending around Taka 328.22 crore.
More than 581 others belong to ‘Rural Road and Culvert Repairing Programme’ are being progressed involving Taka 136.98 crore. Some 727 schemes are being executed at a cost of Taka 292.85 crore for infrastructure development of the region’s disadvantaged upazilas. The progress of work is 39 percent so far, the sources also said.
More than 23 percent work on 42 schemes of Sustainable Rural Infrastructure Improvement Project were completed. The project is being implemented at an estimated cost of Taka 156.11 crore.
Thirty-one Union Parishad Complex buildings are being constructed with an estimated cost of around Taka 20.20 crore.
At least 54 percent work on the schemes have so far been completed, the sources said adding, implementation of these schemes would in fact further strengthen the overall activities of local government bodies at the grassroots level.
For infrastructure improvement, renovation and maintenance of primary schools, 784 schemes are being implemented involving Taka 396.67 crore. Eighty new primary schools are being constructed in the villages where there was no school at all.
The schemes were undertaken to increase the national literacy rate through enhancing education facilities at the schools located in remote villages, the sources said.
To enhance the participatory micro water resource sector for irrigation, 33 schemes were adopted at an estimated cost of Taka 19.15 crore. Eighty percent work on establishing rubber dam on Atrai River in Naogaon district has been completed.
In addition to 29 housing schemes for the landless and distressed Freedom Fighters, 12 Upazila Freedom Fighters Complex buildings are being constructed. Construction of 12 other Freedom Fighters Memorial Plaques are progressing fast.
Ali Ahmed, Additional Chief Engineer-in-Charge of LGED, here told BSS that the ongoing projects were expected to be completed in near future. On competition the projects will contribute enormously to raising standard of living in the remote villages, he said.
