Tk 2,663cr projects approved
Plan to procure 10 dredgers
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved nine development projects involving Tk 2,663 crore, including one to procure 10 dredgers to restore navigability of rivers.
The approval was made at its meeting presided over by Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC conference room in the city's Sher-e-Banglanagar.
"All of the nine projects will be implemented with funds from the government exchequer," said Planning Minister AK Khandker while briefing reporters after the meeting. Planning Division Secretary M Monzur Hossain was present.
The procurement of 10 dredgers, crew boat, tug boat, officer houseboat, crew houseboat, and other accessories and machineries project will be implemented at a cost of Tk 746 crore.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), under the shipping ministry, will implement the project scheduled to be completed by June 2013.
Under the project, the dredgers will be purchased to enhance the dredging efficiency of the BIWTA, develop the navigability of the rivers, and meet the fast increasing dredging demand.
Out of the total cost of dredging project, Tk 82.14 crore has been allocated in the revised Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the current fiscal year, Tk 400.10 crore proposed in the ADP of 2011-12 fiscal year, and Tk 263.35 crore in the ADP of the 2012-13 fiscal.
The Ecnec meeting also approved the Kalni-Kushiara river management project involving Tk 610 crore. Bangladesh Water Development Board under the water resources ministry will implement the huge project to be completed by June 2014.
The project area covers five districts of two divisions -- Kishoreganj of Dhaka division and Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, and Sunamganj of Sylhet division.
The objectives of the project include developing long-term stability of the river, reducing loss caused by rain through improving pre-monsoon flood control measures and post-rainy season drainage as well as building flood-free safe villages for 1,250 landless families.
The other projects approved in the meeting are greater Faridpur irrigation area development project (Tk 90 crore); providing stipend to students at higher secondary level (4th phase), 2nd revised (Tk 589 crore); upgrading Shariatpur road into four lanes from Madaripur (Mostafapur) via Kazirtek Bridge (Tk 200 crore); Badherhat-Khoyerchar road construction (revised) project at Nagarbari Ferryghat end (Tk 93 crore); bypass road construction project at Kushtia town (Tk 53 crore); upgrading Gabtali Soarighat (Badamtali) road into four lanes (Tk 71 crore); and Mujibnagar integrated agriculture development project (Tk 211 crore).
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