The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) Monday approved eight development projects involving Tk 30.39 billion.

Prime Minister and ECNEC chair Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.

The projects included rural water supply, railway development, water management development, dredging of Pashur channel harbour at Mongla Port, construction or rehabilitation of ferry and pontoons and expansion and development of Chittagong College – Kapasgola road.

Acting Planning Secretary Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam briefed the journalists about the Ecnec meeting.

He said, of the total cost, Tk 20.96 billion will come as assistance, Tk 8.30 billion from national exchequer and the remaining Tk 1.13 billion will be collected from community sponsor.

For supplying drinking water to arsenic and salinity-hit areas, Tk 6.82 billion will be spent.

The project will be implemented in 33 districts across the country.

Besides, non-piped water supply system will also be established in the areas facing acute problems of salinity, iron and arsenic.

Over 300,000 sanitary latrines will be constructed for the ultra poor people of some selected unions.

For the project, World Bank will provide Tk 5.55 billion as credit and Tk 1.13 billion will come from community sponsorship. Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) is scheduled to implement the project by June 2016.

Railway Sector Development Project’ will be implemented to improve regional and sub-regional railway communication system, making it safer and faster mode of travelling.

The implementation cost is set at Tk 3.96 billion, of which, ADB will give Tk 3.22 billion.

The second project for railway sector is ‘Rehabilitation of Bangladesh Railway’s Main Sections (West zone, 1st Revised), spending Tk 1.50 billion.

‘Procurement of 11 MG Locomotives for Bangladesh Railway’ is another project approved yesterday, which will cost Tk 4.81 billion.

It is intended to meet the increasing demand of service in Dhaka-Chittagong route.

Japan Bank of International Co-operation will finance TK 3.35 billion for the project.

ECNEC also approved ‘Water Management Development Project (2nd revised)’ to rehabilitate the dilapidated and weak water infrastructures.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 20th June 2012