The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Saturday approved nine major development projects with a combined estimated cost of Tk 11,851.29 crore, focusing on education, energy, infrastructure, and social development.

Of the total allocation, Tk 8,046.09 crore will come from government funding, Tk 2,988.95 crore from project-related loans, and Tk 816.25 crore from the implementing agencies’ own funds.

The approvals came during anECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room at the Planning Commission, chaired by Chief Adviser andECNEC Chairperson Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Key Approved Projects:

1. Construction of Academic Buildings at eight government polytechnic institutes — Tk 451.07 crore
2. Capacity Enhancement of 15 government polytechnic institutes — Tk 1,513.95 crore
3. Development of Selected Private Colleges for ICT-based education improvement (3rd revised) — Tk 184.46 crore (reduced cost)
4. Mosque-based Children and Mass Education Programme, Phase 8 — Tk 4,645.58 crore
5. RAISE Project: Reintegration of returning migrants (1st revised) — Tk 91 crore (additional cost)
6. GRID Power Evacuation System Development for West Zone Power Distribution Co. Ltd. — Tk 539.71 crore
7. Power Transmission Strengthening and Integration of Renewable Energy — Tk 4,131.42 crore
8. Urban Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project (UCRIP) — Tk 590.42 crore
9. PRABRIDDHI (Local Economic Development) (1st revised) — Tk 72.60 crore (additional cost)

Additionally, the committee approved an extension proposal for the Reconstruction of Mymensingh Central Jail (1st Revised) project.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud also briefed Ecnec members on the progress of four previously approved projects:

1. Establishment of a Dry Fish Processing Industry in Cox’s Bazar (2nd Revised)
2. Strengthening of Government Video Conferencing Platform (2nd Revised)
3. Construction of Bogura–Rangpur–Saidpur Gas Transmission Pipeline (2nd Revised)
4. Construction of Elevated Expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram (2nd Revised)