Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said that unplanned development projects were taken in the power and energy sector during Sheikh Hasina regime with implemention at a higher cost. In an exclusive interview with UNB this week, Fouzul said during former prime minister Hasina’s tenure, the unplanned development projects with no value for money were often costlier than reasonable ones. He said there was massive irregularities and corruption in the energy and power sectors during the previous government, causing huge financial losses. The adviser, who also holds the road, transport and bridges ministry, criticised the approval of numerous unnecessary private power plants aimed at benefiting certain groups through nepotism, resulting in wasteful expenditure of public funds. Painting a picture of the Hasina government’s irregularities and grafts , he said the current situation has been exacerbated by the government's practice of purchasing electricity at inflated prices, which has put financial strain on power companies and hindered the ability to pay suppliers in dollars for gas imports. He acknowledged the difficulties in maintaining stable electricity tariffs, which have been raised repeatedly due to these challenges, ultimately harming consumers and leading to further waste of national resources. To address the issues of corruption and irregularities, the government has decided to form an independent probe body led by a judge to identify the culprits and take action based on the committee's recommendations, he said, warning that no one would be spared. The adviser emphasised efforts to address the ongoing energy crisis, saying that they have dismantled the existing rackets of irregularities and are restructuring power companies. He shared that the development of Matarbari Power Plant project is interconnected with deep-sea ports, economic zones, railways, and road projects, and stressed the importance of implementing these additional projects to truly benefit from the power plant. Measures taken after assuming office On this, Fouzul mentione about the suspension of a special law from 2010, the cancellation of a controversial clause from the BERC Act, reduction in fuel prices and removal of chairmen from companies under the ministries. He addressed the creation of specific guidelines to curb corruption in transfers and recruitment within the energy sector. Loadshedding The adviser said that power connections were given beyond the country’s capacity, leading to inevitable outages. He assured that technical problems, such as those at Barapukuria power plant, have been swiftly addressed and steps are being taken to enhance gas import capabilities. Irregularities and corruption in the power sector Fouzul affirmed a zero-tolerance policy and encouraged public cooperation in reporting mismanagement. He reiterated the commitment to open competition in project tenders, ensuring that no specific individual or group is favoured. Initiatives regarding illegal gas connections Fouzul expressed his plans to disconnect all unauthorised connections and hinted that investigations will reveal any corrupt officials involved. He also said that no new gas connections will be issued, particularly in areas already served by gas lines. Irregularities in the energy sector The adviser admitted the existing irregularities in the sector and indicated that measures are being taken to address them, although legal complexities may require time. Plans are underway to review contracts with the assistance of a committee to be formed by a former judge. He reaffirmed the government’s intention to restructure power companies and dismantle the existing framework of irregularities. The adviser emphasised the importance of equal opportunities for all in Bangladesh, saying that despite the ongoing challenges, solutions are also being sought. With initiatives to intensify gas exploration amid a pressing energy crisis, he announced plans for the drilling of 50 wells by 2025, with important collaboration from various firms. He projected that gas shortages could be alleviated with these efforts and committed to maintaining strict timelines and budgets for all projects moving forward.

The Finance Ministry has highlighted low revenue collection as a major obstacle to effective debt management, restricting the government's ability to invest in infrastructure and development projects. According to a document from the ministry, the lower revenue-to-GDP ratio adversely impacts debt sustainability. "This issue is further exacerbated by the LDC graduation deadline in 2026, which will affect the country's access to concessional financing from international sources," the document states. The finance ministry's document, titled ‘Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)’, also identifies the high-interest rate environment both domestically and internationally as another significant challenge. This situation is increasing borrowing costs and straining public finances. Despite zero investment, govt earning Tk14 crore revenue from Nagad: Palak The rising need for government funding to support critical infrastructure, social safety nets, and other development initiatives compounds the problem. Additionally, the presence of segmented debt offices within various agencies has created coordination challenges in debt management, potentially affecting the country's fiscal sustainability. Recommendations for Improvement To address these challenges, the Finance Ministry recommends a comprehensive and integrated approach to debt management, improved revenue collection, and exploring alternative financing mechanisms to reduce reliance on debt. It is crucial to address these issues promptly to ensure that the country's public debt remains sustainable, the document asserts. Steps Toward Financial Efficiency The Finance Division has already undertaken measures to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the financial system. One key initiative is the introduction of secondary market transactions of government securities, facilitated by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed among Bangladesh Bank, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL), and the Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL). Despite zero investment, govt earning Tk14 crore revenue from Nagad: Palak This move aims to increase the scope and depth of the secondary bond market, allowing both institutional and household investors to participate in government securities transactions. It is expected to help finance the government’s deficit more efficiently and contribute to capital market development and overall economic growth. Additional Reforms The automation of the National Savings Certificate (NSC) issuance process represents another critical reform aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing paperwork. This measure supports the implementation of policy measures such as slab-based interest rates and individual investment ceilings, aligning with the government’s financing strategy and reducing investment in NSC. Furthermore, the publication of the Debt Bulletin ensures transparency in debt data, benefiting various stakeholders including other ministries, research organizations, the business community, the international community, and the general public. 34% of Bangladesh's revenue spent on debt repayment: CPD Moderate Debt Levels, Significant Challenges Despite Bangladesh maintaining a moderate level of public debt and a low risk of external debt distress due to strong growth and prudent macroeconomic management, the document stresses that significant challenges remain. Addressing these challenges is essential to maintaining sustainable public debt and supporting the country's development objectives.

Bangladesh and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) or the French Development Agency have entered credit facility agreements (CFA) for three crucial development projects, totalling EUR 277 million (approximately USD 303 million).  The CFAs were signed on June 22 by Sharifa Khan, secretary to the Economic Relations Division, representing Bangladesh, and Benoit CHASSATTE, AFD country director for Bangladesh. Under the CFAs, AFD will provide EUR 62 million for the BRT project, EUR 175 million for the Chattogram Metropolitan Sewerage Project, and EUR 40 million for the BEST Project.  Also Read: BHBFC-AFD hold bilateral meeting on green-featured buildings The first project, known as the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project (BRT Company Component), aims to establish a sustainable urban transport system in Gazipur City Corporation (GCC). This project will introduce a 20 km Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor — serving as a pilot project to provide a holistic solution for integrated urban mobility.  The second project, the Chattogram Metropolitan Sewerage Project for North Kattoli, addresses the long-awaited needs of Port City dwellers. It involves the construction of a sewerage system and wastewater treatment infrastructure for the North Kattoli catchment area, located in the northwest part of Chattogram city. The third project, called the Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST) project, is a joint effort between AFD and the World Bank. It aims to enhance environmental regulations and enforcement in Bangladesh. The project focuses on curbing pollution and improving environmental quality by strengthening the country's technical and administrative capacity. Also Read: France keen on meeting Bangladesh’s needs for green investments: AFD Executive Director AFD, a bilateral development agency responsible for implementing official development assistance on behalf of the French government, has been actively operating in Bangladesh since 2012.  AFD’s support encompasses a wide range of development projects, including urban development and infrastructure initiatives such as water and sanitation, public transport, and urban services. They also focus on power and green energy projects, including energy efficiency and renewable power, as well as corporate and social responsibility endeavours aimed at enhancing safety standards and environmental and social performance. To date, AFD has committed EUR 2,101 million in technical assistance projects and has provided Bangladesh with a budget support loan of EUR 300 million, demonstrating its sustained commitment to the country's development. Read More: HCA signed, €609 million in loans approved by AFD for Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will on Sunday inaugurate  25 development projects completed at a cost of Tk 1317 crore in Rajshahi City and across the district. At the event she will also lay foundation stones of six new development projects in Rajshahi City and district to be constructed at a cost of Tk 376 crore including new Tathya Bhaban Complex in the City. Read more: Digital connectivity key to build Smart Bangladesh: PM Hasina Recently completed development projects include: Flyover at Mohanpur Rail Crossing,  Rajshahi Police Headquarters Building, Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Office building, Sheikh Russel Shishu Park, two storey hostel with six storey foundation for Girl Students of Rajshahi Government Girls College, five storey academic building at Rajshahi Charghat Technical School and College, Multipurpose Bhaban at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Padma River Protection Dam at Charghat and Bagha Upazilas in Rajshahi, Land Reclamation and Increasing Navigation through Padma River Dredging at Charghat and Bagha Upazilas. After inaugurating the projects, the prime minister will address a public rally at Rajshahi Madrasa Ground to be arranged by the district Awami League in the afternoon. Read more: Will correct if opposition can find my failure: PM Hasina in Parliament  PM Hasina will begin the Rajshahi tour by attending the passing out parade of the probationary Assistant Police Supers of 38th BCS Police Cadre at Sarda Police Training Academy. A total of 97 ASPs from BCS Police Cadre 38th Batch are participating in the  year-long training at the Sarda Police Academy.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (January 09, 2023) said that the government is facing various challenges in regard to development projects in the country. “Challenges arise when we go for any (development) work… We completed all the projects, facing these challenges,” she said. The prime minister said this while delivering her introductory speech at the weekly Cabinet meeting, held at her office (PMO). Talking about the Metro Rail project, she said that initially, in the feasibility study, the MRT route was designed to go through Bijoy Sarani. Read more: PM emphasises signing PTA, FTA with Brazil and three other South American countries. “If we went with that, we would’ve had to close down the Tejgaon airport which has a 9000 ft long runway. I was vehemently against that proposal,” she recalled. In this connection, she said that during the 1998 flood, all the relief arrived at the Tejgaon airport as Dhaka airport in Kurmitola went under water. She also said that the planetarium’s (at Bijoy Sarani) dome was much higher in the original design. “We reduced that height. If the height goes beyond 60-70 ft, it will come under the airport funnel (of the Tejgaon airport),” she said. Read more: Doing whatever is needed to ease pains despite war, pandemic: PM She told the Cabinet meeting that if the old alignment were used, the government would have to demolish 22 buildings. “I proposed the new route, using the Khamar Bari area,” she said. The PM also said that she extended the metro rail route up to Kamalapur from Bangladesh Bank. “At that time, proposal was made to demolish Kamalapur Station for metro rail – for its turning and landing space,” she added. Read more: Stay alert against anarchy ahead of next election: PM Hasina to the Nation The PM said she told the officials concerned that it would not be wise to demolish such a big landmark and construct another. “I asked them, how we could go ahead while keeping that (Kamalapur) station intact. If necessary, metro rail will go over the station or find another site for turning. Now it is done that way,” she said. She also mentioned that the Metro Rail project faced resistance at Dhaka University area from the students, saying that it would destroy the academic atmosphere of the university. “I assured them that there will be no disturbance due to the Metro Rail as it will go through a corner of the university area,” she said. Read More: Dhaka Metro Rail Uttara to Agargaon Route: A Detail Overview The Metro Rail project came to a stop after the Holey Artisan attack, in which seven Japanese nationals involved with the project were killed. “At that time, all Japanese people went back to their homeland. I expressed condolence at once to the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and while visiting Japan, I met the family members of the seven deceased Japanese officials,” she said. Later, she recalled, it was again stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic. “But at that time, the work progressed slowly, using the videoconferencing system,” she added. Sheikh Hasina urged all to use metro rail cautiously and mindfully as it uses the most modern technology. Read More: Fares of metro rail are reasonable: Quader “I will request all to use the (Metro) Rail with utmost care, as this is an asset of the whole country and its people,” she said. She said that the government of Bangladesh is constructing an underpass to go from the airport railway station to the airport – for the convenience of passengers and Hajj pilgrims.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved eight development projects, including  one to strengthen climate and disaster resilience in the coastal towns, with a projected outlay of Tk 2580-crore at this stage.  The approval came from the Ecnec meeting presided over by Ecnec chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC conference room here in the city. “Today a total of eight projects including three revised ones were approved. The total estimated cost of the projects is Tk 4,826.21 crore (only additional costs of revised ones were counted here),” said a Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.   Read more: Ecnec nods 6 projects worth Tk 7,018 crore The largest project in terms of cost is the  ‘Costal Towns Climate Resilience Project (CTCRP),’ which will be implemented in 22 municipalities of 10 districts under three divisions by June 2029. According to the project factsheet, the objective of the project is to strengthen climate and disaster resilience of selected vulnerable coastal cities, as well as to improve the quality of life of women and poor people. Of the project cost, Tk 430 crore will be drawn from the government’s fund, while Tk 2,150 crore will come from Asian Development Bank (ADB) as project loan. Talking about inflation, the Planning Minister said the overall inflation trend is now declining, while the wage index is on the uptrend. "Although it's not very much satisfactory, it's a good sign," he added. The inflation rate would continue to come down till February next, but the declining trend might slow down in March next, said Mannan. He said Bangladesh is likely to witness good yielding of Amar crops this time, which would be good news to rein the inflation. Talking about the reserve of foreign currency, the Minister said the current account has reached a balanced situation thanks to steps taken by the government and the central bank (to control imports and others) with the rise of remittance inflow and export. Read more: Ecnec approves Tk 7,189cr Cumilla-Brahmanbaria 4-lane highway project State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said that the remittance inflow during the July-October period of the current fiscal year (FY23) totaled US$ 7.2 billion, which is higher than the corresponding period of the last fiscal year (FY22). The four other fresh projects are ‘Upgrading 4 district highways into due standard and width under Cumilla Road Division’ project involving with an estimated cost of Tk 1,023.52 crore;  ‘Construction of Rabnabad Bridge over the Rabnabad River on the 70th kilometer of the Lebukhali-Baufal-Golachipa-Amragachia District Highway’ with Tk 521.26 crore; ‘Transport Master Plan and Preliminary Feasibility Study for Urban Metro Rail Transit Construction of Chattogram Metropolitan Area (CMA)’ with Tk 70.63 crore; and ‘Strengthening nutrition and food security through agricultural development’ with Tk 148.81 crore. Among the three revised projects, the cost of ‘Modernization of Jail security in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Chattogram Divisions’ (1st revised) project was raised to 49.98 crore from Tk 32 crore, but stip[ulated time has already been extended five times. Two other revised projects are ‘Installation of third submarine cable for expanding international telecommunication system in Bangladesh (1st revised)’ project with an additional cost of Tk 362.07 crore (now cost Tk 1,055.24 crore) and ‘National information and communication technology development (Info Sarker, third phase) (3rd revised)’ project with an additional cost of Tk 101.94 crore (now cost Tk 2141.42 crore).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 50 industries and infrastructures. She will formally inaugurate the Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone, connecting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) will hold the programme on the occasion of the golden jubilee of country’s independence. BEZA Executive Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Haroon will deliver the welcome speech, according to a press release from Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone. A video documentary on the activities of the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority will be screened at the programme. Read: PM invites Singapore investors to special economic zones, emphasises agro-processing Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone is in Badalpura and Shah Mirpur mauza, at the south of Karnaphuli river. It was established in March last year by one of the largest companies of the country, Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd., taking land from BEZA. The World Bank has provided a soft loan of Tk 800 crore for the drydock construction cost. This drydock is 285 meters long and 56 meters wide with a draft of 14 metres. It is possible to build and repair ships weighing 100,000 tons at the dock. Construction of another drydock at a cost of Tk 1200 crore is also in progress now. Construction of two jetties under Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone at Anwara on the south bank of Karnaphuli river has already been completed. Import cargo ships have started arriving at the jetty and loading-unloading activities are going on regularly. This is playing a helpful role in reducing congestion and productivity of cargo ships of Chittagong port. Foreign currency is being saved due to reduction in wait time of ships, especially at outer anchorage. Under the said economic zone, 20.98 acres of land will be taken lease by BEZA for the construction of two more jetties and container terminals, and two more jetties will be constructed on Karnaphuli Ship Builders' own land. The project inauguration and foundation stone laying will be held simultaneously from a total of 8 venues. Read: Expedite implementation of Kuwait’s proposed petroleum refinery in Bangladesh: PM The venues are: Ganabhaban, Dhaka; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsrai, Chattogram; Srihatta Economic Zone in MoulviBazar; Karnaphuli Drydock SEZ in Anwara, Chattogram; Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Sonargaon, Narayanganj; Jamalpur Economic Zone in Jamalpur Sadar; Sabrang Tourism Park in Cox's Bazar; and Hossaindi Economic Zone in Gazaria, Munshiganj. The event will conclude with an exchange of views with investors of the last economic zone. Karnaphuli Ship Builders Ltd. has already built 1200 ships and boats, repaired about 800 ships and built 50 dredgers and handed them over to the government.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday urged the global community to end the Russia-Ukraine war, withdraw sanctions and allow people, who have nothing to do with the war, to have a shot at a better life. “I urge people of the world, this war must be stopped, sanctions have to be withdrawn, people need to have a scope to live their lives,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said this while inaugurating some development projects, including capital dredging at Payra Port, aiming to equip it with better facilities for smooth operations. The Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the development projects from her official residence Ganabhaban. Other inaugurated projects included eight ships and vessels, first terminal, construction of a six-lane approach road and a bridge at Payra Port. Read: Power flow set up from Payra plant to Rampal sub-station. The PM said that the entire world, including developed countries, are facing acute energy and electricity crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war. “We are facing the impact too. Prices of everything shot up suddenly due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions,” she said. The masses are bearing the brunt, Hasina observed. “They are in pain. I don’t know who is making profit… may be those who produce and trade arms, but general people, not only in Bangladesh but also around the world, are suffering a lot,” she said. The Prime Minister briefly described the projects initiated for development of the naval routes and said that Bangladesh’s economy would be more vibrant, stronger and developed once the measures taken are completed. She said the government has been developing roads, railway, air and waterways but the priority is developing the naval routes across the country to ensure transportation of goods at the cheapest rate. She stressed the need for dredging the naval routes every year, after their capital dredging, to ensure navigability. said her government is arranging dredgers for every seaport, as maintenance dredging is required every year to ensure navigability. Read: Stay united to take Bangladesh forward: PM urges after dedicating Payra plant as her Ramadan, Eid gift The PM said the government wanted to connect the seaport with north Bengal and it can also connect Assam of India and Bhutan. In this connection, she said that her government had already allowed India, Nepal and Bhutan to use Mongla and Chattogram seaports. She said the Payra Port has special importance as it is situated in between Mongla and Chattogram ports. Payra Port has so far earned revenues worth over Tk 600 crore since operations started. Sheikh Hasina said she had to face opposition from many when she wanted to establish the Payra Port. The claim was that it would not be viable. Read ‘No Hawa Bhaban and development wing at PMO to share your profits with.’ She said that after taking office, she took every measure following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She quoted Bangabandhu as saying that socio-economic development of Bangladesh would happen due to its geographical position. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Shipping Secretary Md. Mostafa Kamal and Chairman of the Payra Port Authority Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail also spoke at the event. A documentary on the development of the Payra Port was screened at the programme.

With a view to building better transport and road infrastructure that would support industry and trade in the country, the government is working for construction of more elevated expressways and large bridges integrating existing bridges, flyovers, highways and tunnels. While economists say the construction of the 6.51-kilometer Padma Bridge at an estimated cost of $3.6 billion would benefit the country’s $500 billion economy, the government’s policymakers are now keen to move ahead with more infrastructure projects that would consolidate the country’s ability to embrace both domestic and foreign investment more. Read: South Korean firm to collect toll from Dhaka-Mawa Expressway for 5 years The policymakers say they are inspired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s courage and leadership that helped the nation overcome all the challenges to build the Padma Bridge with own funds. The opening of the bridge in June has connected the country’s second largest Mongla Seaport to make it a vibrant hub for exports and imports while at least 21 districts in the southern and southwestern regions have been networked with Dhaka.  According to an official document seen by UNB, authorities are pushing hard to complete the ongoing projects while taking up new schemes is also being considered. The document says the construction of 3.32-kilometer Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River is about to be completed and the tunnel is expected to be opened by December 2022.  In addition, the construction of 46.73-kilometer Elevated Expressway from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway is in progress.  About 78.94 percent construction work of the first part (Airport-Banani) has already been completed. The physical progress of the entire project is 43.60 percent, the document says. On the other hand, 69 percent of construction of 20-kilometer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been completed while the work on the Airport to Mohakhali is progressing. Land acquisition for 24-kilometer Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Savar EPZ via Ashulia is underway, it says.  Besides, feasibility study for construction of a bridge over Meghna river on Bhulta-Araihazar- Bancharampur road, construction of Kalabadar and Tetulia bridges on Barisal-Bhola road, a two-storey road from Mithamoin Cantonment to Marichkhali in Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj district are underway.  Besides, feasibility study for construction of a tunnel under the Jamuna river is going on. The document says that the government has adopted a time-bound Action Plan to build an integrated metro-rail system of 129.901-kilometer (68.729-kilometer long elevated and 61.172-kilometer long underground) with 105 stations (52 surface and 53 underground) under the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), comprising six metro rail lines to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment of the Dhaka Metropolitan City and surrounding areas by 2030.  Following this action plan, the construction of the first ever metro rail system from Uttara 3rd phase to Motijheel, which will be 20.10-kilometer long with 16 stations, is at the final stage.  Read:Chinese firm CCCC tipped for toll collection, maintenance of Bangabandhu Tunnel In the meantime, Metrorail has completed its trial run from Uttara 3rd phase station to Agargaon successfully. This part is set be launched for commercial use by December 2022.  The remaining part from Agargaon to Motijheel is expected to go on commercial operation by December 2023. Later on, it will be extended by 1.16 kilometers from Motijheel to Kamlapur.  Besides, detailed design works of Southern Route of MRT Line-5 and Northern Route of MRT Line-1 are about to be completed. According to the document, the government has also taken up a plan to introduce MRT system in Chattogram city.  In the last 13 years, the government has implemented 357 road development projects and taken up 448 new projects. At the same time, 173.20 kilometers of National Highways have been upgraded to 4-lane or above.  Work is also underway to upgrade 914.84 kilometers of highway to 4 lanes or above, it added, Recently, construction of the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway and the Gazipur- Tangail 6-lane road have been completed and opened to traffic.  Besides, work for upgradation of the Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur highway and Chattagram-Cox’s Bazar highway to 4 lanes are almost completed.  Construction work has also begun to upgrade the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to 4 lanes. At present, 26 projects under the Road Transport and Highways Division are being implemented.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved 10 development projects with the total estimated cost of Tk 2,217 crore, the planning minister said. Among the projects is the Tk 1092-crore Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive aimed at developing tourism industry in the region along the Bay of Bengal. The approval came from the Ecnec meeting held at the NEC Conference Room. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the chairperson of Ecnec, presided over the meeting through video link from her official residence Ganobhaban. Read:Ecnec clears Tk 6,179 cr project to enhance electricity network in Dhaka, Mymensingh “Today the meeting approved 10 projects and the total cost of the projects is Tk 2,216.75 crore,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan at a press briefing. Of the cost, the government will finance Tk 1,875.57 crore and the rest Tk 341.18 crore will come from foreign sources, he said adding that the 10 projects also included four revised ones. Talking about the premier’s directives given in the meeting, Mannan said she asked to construct elevated roads, bridges or culverts instead of reconstructing the flood-affected roads at the points where these were damaged or cut to flush out flood water in Sylhet region. The PM emphasized on construction of bridges and culverts instead of roads in Haor and flood-prone areas to prevent the water stagnation. Special projects will be undertaken for rehabilitation of the flood victims of the Sylhet region, said Mannan. The PM, he said, also asked the authorities concerned to find out the places where the construction of underpass and overpass is needed. According to the project factsheet, Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road Widening (1.60th KM-32th KM) Project will be implemented at the cost of Tk 1092.35 crore from July 2022 to June 2025. Read: Ecnec clears 9 projects involving Tk 2,665 crore The main objectives of the road project are to establish a safe communication system, develop the tourism industry and improve the socio-economic condition of the local people through widening some 30 kilometers of the marine drive road and construction of a two-lane 305-meter bridge over Reju Khal. The major project operations include acquisition of some 113.25 acres of lands, 7.24 lakh cubic meter of earth-filing, installation of 608 CCTV cameras and straightening 0.32 km flexible pavement bend. The five fresh projects are Sustainable Agriculture Extension in Jashore Region with Tk 171.33 crore; Expansion of Advanced Varieties and Technology of Spices with Tk 119.50 crore; A Railway Overpass Construction at Railbazar located at 81th KM of Kushtia (Trimohoni)-Meherpur-Chuadanga-Jhenaidah Regional Highway Project with Tk 75 crore; Construction of PC Girder Bridges and RCC Box Culverts in places of Dilapidated, Narrow Bailey Bridges on the Pirojpur part of Chakhali-Tushkhali-Mathbaria-Patharghata Highway Project with Tk 332.91 crore; Extension of Physical Infrastructural Facilities of MES (Military Engineering Services) in Dhaka Cantonment Project with Tk 98.50 crore; A Railway Overpass Construction at Gatepar area in Jamalpur Town (1st revised) Project with additional cost of Tk 132 crore (raising the cost to Tk 423.70 crore); Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Bhaban Construction at 64 District Headquarters of Bangladesh-1st Phase (3rd revised) Project with the cost of Tk 204 crore less than the previous estimated cost of Tk 2464.60 crore; Emergency Assistance in Water Supply and Sanitation in Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's Bazar district (1st revised) with the additional cost of Tk 307 crore (raising the cost to 892 crore) and Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Road (N-1) Development (2nd revised) Project with the extra cost of Tk 92 crore (raising the cost to Tk 590.28 crore).