United News of Bangladesh

The government on Wednesday approved a Tk 33,474.45 crore project to build the first phase of the Padma Barrage, aiming to revive drying river systems, reduce salinity intrusion and improve irrigation and water management in vast Padma-dependent regions. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday approved the project titled “Padma Barrage (1st Phase)”following endorsement by the Planning Commission. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting held at Secretariat. The project will be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Ministry of Water Resources at an estimated cost of Tk 33,474.45 crore entirely from government funding. According to project documents, the implementation period has been set from July 2026 to June 2033. PM chairs ECNEC meeting at secretariat The project area will cover 19 districts across Khulna, Dhaka, Rajshahi and Barishal divisions, targeting restoration of several major river systems including the Hisna-Mathabhanga, Gorai-Madhumati, Chandana-Barashia, Baral and Ichamati rivers. Officials concerned said the proposed barrage is expected to play a critical role in addressing long-standing water management challenges in the country’s southwest and northwest regions, where reduced dry-season flow of the Padma River has severely affected agriculture, fisheries, navigation, forestry and biodiversity. The project is also aimed at reducing salinity intrusion in Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat districts, ensuring freshwater supply for the Sundarbans ecosystem and mitigating waterlogging in areas including Bhobodah in Jashore through dredging and drainage improvement works. According to the proposal, the key objectives of the project include reviving five river systems, restoring ecological balance in the Sundarbans, enhancing groundwater recharge, reducing arsenic contamination, improving irrigation facilities and creating employment opportunities through planned land development activities. The proposed infrastructure package includes construction of a 2.1-kilometre main Padma Barrage along with associated structures such as 78 sluice gates, 18 undersluices, fish passes, navigation locks, guide embankments and approach embankments. The project also includes construction of off-take structures at Gorai, Chandana and Hisna rivers, along with spillways, navigation and fish passage facilities. In addition, two hydropower plants with a combined generation capacity of 113 megawatts are planned under the scheme. Of these, a 76.4MW hydropower plant will be constructed alongside the main barrage, while another 36.6MW plant will be installed at the Gorai off-take point. Major river restoration works under the project include dredging of 135.60 kilometres of the Gorai-Madhumati river system and re-excavation of 246.46 kilometres within the Hisna river system. An additional 180 kilometres of afflux embankments are also proposed to support water regulation and flood management. According to project  documents thePadma-dependent area covers nearly 37 percent of Bangladesh and accommodates roughly one-third of the country’s population. The government linked the region’s deteriorating river flow situation to the diversion of dry-season water upstream through the Farakka Barrage, constructed in India during the 1970s to maintain navigability of the Kolkata port through the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system. Officials said reduced flow in the Padma over the decades has caused many distributary rivers in southwest and northwest Bangladesh to dry up during the lean season, leading to declining agricultural productivity, fisheries depletion, ecological stress and increased salinity in coastal districts. The project proposal stated that freshwater scarcity has also adversely affected the Sundarbans, threatening biodiversity and forest resources in the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem. The Planning Commission observed that implementation of the project would increase dry-season flow in the Padma River by conserving water through the barrage system, thereby helping revive major river networks and improving irrigation, drainage and flood resilience in the affected regions. The proposal was reviewed at a Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting held on Jan 15, 2026 under the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division of the Planning Commission. Following the review, the commission recommended the project for ECNEC approval with full government financing.  

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Monday approved 17 development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 15,383.51 crore. Of the total outlay, Tk 9,451.84 crore will come from the government’s own resources, Tk 5,609.70 crore as project loans, and Tk 379.31 crore from the implementing agencies’ own funds. The approval came at an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in the Planning Commission with Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Prof  Muhammad Yunus in the chair. The two projects under the Ministry of Agriculture are the “Sustainable Agricultural Development in the Chattogram Region” project and the second revised “Quality Seed Potato Production, Preservation and Strengthened Distribution to Farmers” project. The Power and Energy Ministry got approval for two projects-  the drilling of three exploration wells (Srikail Deep-1, Mobarakpur Deep-1 and Fenchuganj South-1), and the construction of the 220-MW Sonagazi Solar Power Plant. Three projects under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works include the construction of 1,560 residential flats in Mirpur-9 for families of  July activists who lost work capacity, the construction of the ‘36 July’ residential flats for families of  July martyrs, and the modernisation of electrical, mechanical and fire-safety equipment at Bangladesh Secretariat, Transport Pool, Ministers’ Apartments and secretary residences. The Ministry of Bridges received approval for the third revised “Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-6)” and the development of the Sirajganj–Raiganj (Chandaikona) district highway to appropriate standards and width. The meeting also approved the “Narayanganj Green and Resilient Urban Development Project (NGRUDP)” under the Local Government Division, and a revised project under the Social Welfare Ministry titled “Autism and NDD Services Centre (2nd Revised).” The Finance Ministry secured approval for the “Japan Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Project (2nd Phase),” while the ICT Division received clearance for the first revised “Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Development” project. Under the Education Ministry, the “Completion of Construction of the Third Academic and Central Research Building (10-storey foundation, 10 floors) and Other Structures at Noakhali Science and Technology University” was approved. Three more projects under the Health and Family Welfare Ministry were endorsed: “Climate Responsive Reproductive Health and Population Services Improvement and System Strengthening for Results,” the first revised “Establishment of Essential Biotech and Research Centre, Munshiganj,” and the project covering essential operational activities of the Directorate General of Health Services, Directorate General of Drug Administration and the Community Clinic Health Support Trust. During the meeting, ECNEC members were also briefed on 15 small-scale projects  each costing less than Tk 50 crore which had earlier been approved by the Planning Adviser. These projects include the modernisation of Bangladesh Betar Chattogram Centre, infrastructure development in several district stadiums, the third revised IMPACT–Phase 3 project for poverty alleviation, upgrades to academic institutions, cultural centres, fisheries development initiatives, rural infrastructure improvement in Gazipur, biodiversity enhancement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, drainage system improvement in Chapainawabganj, and the second revised infrastructure development scheme for Dinajpur Municipality.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec)on Tuesday approved 17 development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 8,974.28 crore. The approval came from the Ecnec meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Planning Commission with Chief Adviser and Ecnec Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Yunus in the chair. Of the total cost, Tk 3,180.34 crore will come from the government’s own funds, Tk 5,563.43 crore as project assistance (loans) and the remaining Tk 230.51 crore from the funds of implementing agencies. Of the approved 17 projects, 11 are new and 5 are revised while one project got time extension without witnessing any expenditure. The approved 17 projects are: Upazila Complex Expansion Project, 2nd phase, 2nd revised, Integrated services and livelihood improvement of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and the host community, Construction of 200-bed drug addiction cure and rehabilitation centers in 7 divisional cities, Enhancing capacity of four newly built marine academies through installing simulators and other related facilities, Access to Justice for Women: strengthening community dispute resolution and improving case management, Establishment of 3rd submarine cable for expanding the international telecommunication system in Bangladesh (2nd revised), Construction of 13 new buffer godowns in 13 districts of Bangladesh for enhancing the fertilizer preservation and distribution facilities (3rd revised). Besides, establishment of Kishore-Kishori Club (1st revised), strengthening integrated services and operations of quick response team for preventing women and children repression, TVET Teachers for the future (TTF) Programme, Countrywide Mobile Library, 3rd revised, Strengthening the development budget management system through installing a new digital database at programming division (3rd revised). Improvement of Public Investment Management System (IPIMS), Procurement Modernization to Improve Public Service Delivery (PMIPSD), Statistical Capacity Enhancement and Modernization Project (SCEMP), Strengthening Public Audit Through Digital Transformation and Capacity Enhancement (SPADTEC) and Strengthening Domestic Revenue Mobilization Project (SDRMP) were among the projects. Besides, the IPIMS project under the Planning Division, PMIPSD project under the IMED, SPADTEC project under the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, SDRMP project under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and SCEMP project under the Bureau of Statistics (BBS) would be implemented as umbrella projects under the Strengthening Institution For Transparency and Accountability (SITA) funded by the World Bank. Apart from these, the ECNEC meeting was also apprised of 15 projects approved earlier by the Planning Adviser. Advisers concerned attended the meeting while Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned were present.     

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Sunday said that the upcoming national budget (FY25-26) will focus on restoring economic stability, curbing inflation, ensuring discipline in budget management, and making public finance sustainable. “The main strategy of this budget is to avoid falling into a debt trap — whether local or foreign — and ensure that loan repayments and development or operational expenditures do not exert additional pressure on the economy,” he said. Wahiduddin made the remarks while briefing reporters after a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC). He acknowledged that the government is trying to break free from a vicious cycle of poor fiscal management seen in the past. While revenue collection cannot be increased overnight, the government will work to contain expenditures and limit the budget deficit to within four percent of GDP. The planning adviser said that due to ongoing inflationary pressures, the interim government cannot immediately reduce subsidies across all sectors. However, he noted that the new budget will be a responsible one, with no populist expenditures aimed at short-term public appeasement that could lead to long-term liabilities. He also said that no new mega or long-term development projects have been included in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP), with the exception of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port project funded by Japan. Despite some financial constraints, Dr. Wahiduddin added that the government is continuing to repay longstanding dues to development partners and foreign contractors. NEC approves Tk 230,000 crore ADP for FY 25-26 Regarding the implementation of the Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) for the current fiscal year, he noted that progress has been slower. This is due to the interim government’s post-August 5 scrutiny of ongoing projects, which resulted in reduced allocations and efforts to prevent fund misuse. He criticised several mega projects such as Payra Port, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, saying these were launched during the previous Awami League government without proper long-term assessment. ADP Size and Sectoral Priorities According to Planning Commission officials, the size of the new ADP for FY26 stands at Tk 2,30,000 crore — an increase of Tk 14,000 crore or 6.48 percent over the revised ADP for FY25, which was slashed from the original Tk 2,65,000 crore to Tk 2,16,000 crore. The new ADP emphasises sustainable, environmentally-friendly development with goals that include higher economic growth, increased per capita income, poverty reduction, job creation, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Priority has been given to sectors such as agriculture and agro-industries, education, health, ICT, transport, power and energy, and region-based balanced development. Among the sectors, transport and communication received the highest allocation with Tk 58,973.39 crore, followed by power and energy with Tk 32,392.26 crore (14.08%), education with Tk 28,557.43 crore (12.42%), housing and community facilities with Tk 22,776.40 crore (9.90%), and health with Tk 18,148.14 crore (7.89%). These five sectors account for 70 percent of the total allocation. Finance Adviser to discuss NBR reforms with officials Tuesday Top Allocated Ministries and Divisions The Local Government Division received the highest allocation among ministries and divisions with Tk 36,099 crore. It was followed by: Road Transport and Highways Division: Tk 32,329.57 crore Power Division: Tk 20,283.62 crore Secondary and Higher Education Division: Tk 13,625.03 crore Ministry of Science and Technology: Tk 12,154.53 crore Health Services Division: Tk 11,617.17 crore Ministry of Primary and Mass Education: Tk 11,398.16 crore Shipping Ministry: Tk 9,387.62 crore Water Resources Ministry: Tk 8,489.86 crore Ministry of Railways: Tk 7,714.99 crore Projects under New ADP The new ADP includes 1,171 projects, comprising: 993 investment projects 19 feasibility study projects 99 technical assistance projects 60 projects financed from the concerned organization’s own funds Additionally, 79 projects will be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and 228 under the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund. A total of 258 projects have been earmarked for completion during the fiscal year, including: 212 investment projects 11 feasibility studies 18 technical assistance projects 17 organisation-financed projects

The government on Wednesday approved a Tk 427-crore project to rehabilitate two lakh expatriates as some five lakh Bangladeshi workers returned home losing their overseas jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the big project at an Ecnec meeting held virtually with its Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. The PM joined the meeting from Ganobhaban, while others from the NEC conference room. Read: 28,849 Bangladeshi expats to return home: FM Each of two lakh returnees will get orientation, counseling and then Tk 13,500 as cash incentive alongside other employment-related supports under the project. Along with this project, a total of 10 development projects involving the overall estimated cost of Tk 2,575.42 crore got approval at the meeting. “Today, 10 projects placed by nine ministries were approved at the meeting. Seven of these projects are new while the remaining three are revised ones,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting. Of the total estimated cost, Tk 2,150.42 crore will come from the national exchequer while the rest of Tk 425 crore as foreign loans from the World Bank, he said. Mannan said the Prime Minister appreciated the supportive project for employment generation in the informal sector aiming to reintegrate the migrant workers who have returned. Hasina said the expatriates who returned home contributed a lot to the country. “Now the country will have to provide support to them.” Under the project, some 23,500 selected returnees who are skilled in different trades will also be given support to have certificates from the recognised organisations and manage jobs at home and abroad. The other project operations include preparation of a database of the returnee workers, making the returnees connected with financial, technical and other relevant organisations and providing support to get loan and financial assistance, and engaging them in different productive activities and small business enterprises. The Wage Earners’ Welfare Board under the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry will execute the project by December 2023. The project will be implemented in 32 districts of the country. The districts are Dhaka, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Pabna, Bogura, Naogaon, Rajshahi, Sirajganj, Barishal, Patuakhali, Kushtia, Jashore, Khulna, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Noakhali, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Rangamati. Of the project cost of Tk 427.30 crore, Tk 425 crore will come as loan from the World Bank, while the rest Tk 2.30 crore from the GoB fund.    State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said some five lakh expatriates returned home due to the Covid pandemic. Read: Bangladesh expats to return to Oman from Oct 1 without NOCs The other new projects include Modernisation and expansion of the services and research facilities of the  Institute of Tissue Banking and Biomaterial Research’ project at a cost of Tk 173.80 crore, Construction of 3 underpasses and Paduar Bazar intersection U-Loop on Dhaka-Chattogram National Highway project with Tk 568.93 crore, and Protection of the left bank of the Padma River on the downside of Padma Multipurpose Bridge in different places under Louhajang and Tongibari upazilas of Munshiganj project with Tk 446.12 crore. The remaining new projects are Setting up a full-fledged child cardiology and child cardiac surgery unit in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) project with Tk 72.09 crore, Construction of Bangladesh Chancery Bhaban at Canberra in Australia project with Tk 146.87 crore, and BSCIC food processing estate in Thakurgaon project with Tk 98.61 crore. The three revised projects are Upgrading district highways into proper standard and width (Mymensingh Zone) (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 111.58 crore (now the cost increased to Tk 680 crore in 1st revision),  District-based computer training for women (3rd revised) project with additional cost of Tk 31.82 crore (Cost now stands at Tk 118.79 crore), and Reconstruction or Replacement of Iron Bridges in the country’s southern region (1st revised) project with an additional cost of Tk 498.30 crore (Now the cost went up to Tk 2334 crore). At the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure the proper height of bridges during their construction through coordination with Inland Water Transportation for keeping waterways operative, said the planning minister.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the people of the country are now reaping the benefits of democracy as they got back their state power from the cantonment.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved seven projects with an outlay of Tk 3,075 crore, including Tk 2,334 crore to modernise the sewerage system in Khulna city.

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Tuesday approved the country’s 2nd Perspective Plan 2021-2041, aiming to make Bangladesh a higher-income and developed country by 2041.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared nine projects involving Tk 2,422.27 crore.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared seven projects, including a Tk 8850-crore one, to ensure safe water supply across the country.