Dhaka:The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 13 projects totaling Tk 15,823.57 crore, focusing on flood control, healthcare, and infrastructure, including the expansion of Shahjalal International Airport.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the funding for these projects will comprise Tk 10,118.33 crore from government sources, Tk 5,252.96 crore from project loans, and Tk 382.28 crore from the agencies' own funds. The approval was granted at an ECNEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman.
Among the approved projects, eight are new, three have been revised, and two involve extensions of the implementation periods. Notable projects include two under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare the Integrated Health System Response to Fight Against TB, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria in Bangladesh, and the first revised project for establishing Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital.
The meeting also sanctioned the Finance Ministry's Financial Sector Support Project-II (FSSP-II). In the realm of social welfare, a project was approved to develop and expand physical disability training centers in the Chattogram, Khulna, and Rajshahi divisions and to expand hostel facilities for children with intellectual disabilities in Roufabad, Chattogram.
Two significant water resources projects aim to improve flood and river management, including the construction of the Musapur Regulator and erosion protection in Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan upazilas from the Meghna River. Additionally, a revised project under the Ministry of Land will establish digital land management systems through surveys in urban and rural areas.
Under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, projects were approved to enhance upazila and union roads in Rangpur Division and develop rural infrastructure in Madaripur, Shariatpur, and Rajbari districts. The expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and projects enhancing the Special Response Battalion's technical capacity were also approved.
Furthermore, two power and energy projects were sanctioned, including land acquisition for a solar power plant in Sonagazi, Feni district, and expanding the electricity network in three hill districts. ECNEC was informed about 15 additional projects costing less than Tk 50 crore each, which have already been approved by the Planning Minister. These encompass infrastructure improvements in schools and colleges, riverbank protection, and water supply and sanitation projects across various regions.