ECNEC To Review 14 Major Projects Worth Tk3,256cr Today

The government will place 14 major development projects worth Tk3,256.89 crore before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval today.

According to a senior Planning Commission official, the projects span infrastructure, agriculture, energy, health, and overseas diplomatic facilities, aiming to bolster national development and improve public service delivery. Of the total proposed outlay, Tk2,190.37 crore will come from the government’s own funds, Tk1,016.82 crore from project loans, and Tk50 crore from the implementing agencies’ own resources.

Among the projects, four are new, seven have been revised, and three involve time extensions without additional costs.

Key projects include PRO-ACT Bangladesh – Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar, costing Tk50.02 crore, to be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture between July 2025 and June 2028.

Another major initiative, the Climate Resilient and Livelihood Enhancement Project (CRALEP), under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives, is valued at Tk1,268.80 crore and scheduled to run from January 2020 to December 2030.

Large-scale infrastructure undertakings include the Khulna Division Rural Infrastructure Development Project (third revision) (Tk2,753 crore, January 2017–June 2027), the Jamalpur City Urban Development and Cultural Centre Project (third revision) (Tk188.22 crore, March 2016–December 2025), and Internal Roads, Drainage, and Footpath Construction in Gazipur City Corporation (Zones 1–5) (third revision) (Tk1,597.71 crore, ending December 2026).

Other urban development initiatives up for consideration include Uttara Lake Development (first revision) (Tk90.73 crore, July 2014–June 2026) and the Bangladesh Chancery Complex in Canberra, Australia (first revision) (Tk261.10 crore, July 2021–June 2025).

Transport and communication projects feature prominently, such as the Kishoreganj–Pakundia–Mirzapur–Tok Highway Upgradation (first revision) (Tk729.79 crore, November 2019–June 2026) and the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Western and Eastern Railway Level Crossings (fifth revision), with costs ranging from Tk130.50 crore to Tk208.02 crore, scheduled for completion by June 2027.

Industrial, energy, and health-related projects include the Expansion and Modernisation of BSTI Physical and Chemical Testing Laboratory (Tk85.19 crore, July 2025–June 2028), the Ghorashal Third Unit Re-powering Project (second revision) (Tk2,954.66 crore, January 2011–June 2027), and the Upgrading of Pabna Mental Hospital into an International Standard Mental Health Institute (Tk1,365.18 crore, January 2025–December 2027).

Planning officials said the proposed projects are designed to enhance infrastructure, boost industrial capacity, and strengthen healthcare and social services, reflecting the government’s focus on resilient growth and modernisation.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud and senior advisers overseeing law, agriculture, energy, industry, housing, environment, and water resources are expected to attend the meeting, which will be chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Prof Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Additionally, ECNEC members were briefed on 12 previously approved projects by the planning adviser, covering areas such as light engineering, e-waste management, digital broadcasting, fisheries vaccine research, rural water management, and improved road connectivity in the Savar and Ashulia industrial zones.