ECNEC Likely to Approve Tk2,082.12 Crore Rural Road Maintenance and Employment Project

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is likely to approve a Tk2,082.12 crore government-funded project aimed at maintaining rural roads across Bangladesh while generating employment for 45,780 poor rural women.

According to a project summary prepared by the Planning Commission, the “Rural Road Maintenance and Employment Project” will be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division by December 2029. The entire cost of the project will be financed by the government.

Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to preside over the ECNEC meeting on Wednesday.

Planning Commission Member Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan told BSS that LGED roads had undergone major maintenance drives in 1983–84 and again between 2003 and 2007. However, no similar large-scale maintenance programme had been undertaken since then. In view of this, the proposed project has been designed to cover all 495 upazilas across the country’s 64 districts.

Describing the initiative as particularly beneficial for poor women and a means of promoting women’s empowerment, Hossain Khan said the project aims to keep 91,560 kilometres of rural roads functional throughout the year through regular maintenance. It will also provide employment to 45,780 poor women who are heads of households, thereby improving the socio-economic conditions of an equal number of disadvantaged families.

A Planning Commission official said Bangladesh’s rural economy depends heavily on an efficient road network to transport agricultural and non-agricultural goods to markets. Regular maintenance of rural roads is therefore essential to ensure year-round connectivity, support trade and promote rural economic development.

The proposed project builds on the success of earlier rural road maintenance programmes. The initiative began in 1983 as a pilot project in seven unions with assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through CARE Bangladesh. It was later expanded nationwide with support from the European Union before evolving into successive Rural Employment and Road Maintenance Programmes (RERMP), including RERMP-1, RERMP-2 and RERMP-3. The latest phase was implemented by LGED between 2019 and 2024 with full government financing.

Building on the achievements of those programmes, the Local Government Division has proposed the new project to sustain rural connectivity, facilitate the marketing of agricultural and non-agricultural products, reduce poverty through women’s employment and improve living standards in rural areas.

Under the project, LGED will carry out regular maintenance of 91,560 kilometres of rural roads in 495 upazilas across all 64 districts and eight divisions.

The project areas have been selected based on factors including the Climate Vulnerability Index, Poverty Index and Environmental Hazard Index. Priority will be given to improving rural connectivity and expanding social protection through employment opportunities for women.

According to the Planning Commission, the project is aligned with the government’s election manifesto, particularly its commitments to poverty reduction, agricultural development, nationwide employment generation and ensuring last-mile connectivity in remote areas. It is also consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 on No Poverty, SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture, and SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

A feasibility study conducted by Ideal Design & Consultancy recommended implementation of the project, and its findings have been incorporated into the Development Project Proposal (DPP).

Although no financial cost-benefit analysis was conducted due to the service-oriented nature of the project, the Planning Commission said the strong performance of previous RERMP initiatives indicated that the proposed programme would generate significant socio-economic benefits.

The proposed expenditure includes Tk522.89 crore in FY2026-27, Tk519.31 crore in FY2027-28, Tk518.65 crore in FY2028-29 and Tk520.75 crore in FY2029-30, along with a nominal allocation for FY2025-26.

The Project Evaluation Committee (PEC), at a meeting on March 1, 2026, recommended the project for approval after suggesting revisions to the implementation schedule, rationalisation of procurement and operational costs, compliance with public procurement rules, preparation of an exit plan for post-project maintenance and measures to avoid duplication with other ongoing development programmes.

The Planning Commission has recommended the project for approval by ECNEC, with implementation scheduled to continue until December 2029 at an estimated cost of Tk2,082.12 crore, fully financed by the government.