ECNEC approves eight projects involving tk. 4979 crore

The tenure of "Tannery Estate, Dhaka," project has been extended for two more years (third times) to shift tannery industries from the city's Hazaribagh area as the relocation tannery industries to Savar do not pollute the river Dhaleshwari.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the extension of the tenure of the project at a meeting held at the NEC conference room here with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The ECNEC also approved 'Smaller water resources development (2nd phase)' project involving an estimated cost of Tk 1,285.96 crore to boost agricultural production and increase the income of farmers through enhancing non-farm activities.

"A total of eight projects were approved today involving an estimated cost of Tk 4,979.35 crore. Of the total project cost, Tk 4,069.34 crore will come from the national coffer, while Tk 51.16 crore from the organisation's own fund and the remaining Tk 858.85 crore from project assistance," Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told reporters after the meeting.

Of the approved eight projects, seven are new while one is a revised project.

While focusing on the tannery project Kamal said, "The government planned to relocate tannery industries to save river Buriganga but in doing so we cannot pollute the river Dhaleshwari. So we want to implement the project properly with cooperation of tannery owners."

The project was first approved by the ECNEC on August 18, 2003 and it was revised on August 13, 2013 with an estimated cost of Tk 1,078.71 crore and planned to implement the project in June, 2017.

The project will now be completed by June, 2019.

About the 'Smaller water resources development (2nd phase)' project, Kamal said of the estimated cost of Tk 1,285.96 crore, the government will give Tk 427.11 crore while JICA will provide Tk 858.85 core as project assistance.

Local Government Engineering Department under the Local Government Division will implement the project from October 2017 to December, 2023 in 220 upazilas under Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rangpur divisions.

The ECNEC cleared "Expansion and enhancement of power distribution system in West Zone area" project with an estimated cost of Tk 1249.05 crore as part of the government's plan to ensure power for all under Vision 2021.

Of the total cost, Tk 1197.89 crore will come from the government exchequer while Tk 51.16 crore from the organization's own fund. West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDCO) will implement the project from July, 2017 to June, 2021.

Other projects are River bank protection project in Arjuna area of Bhuapur upazila under Tangail district (Tk 281. 57 crore), establishment of Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Science in the country's eight medical college (Tk582.30 crore),

Expansion and strengthening the Syedpur-Nilphamari highway (Tk 225.96 crore), completion of the incomplete work of Naogaon-Atrai-Natore highway (Tk 201.29 crore), expansion and strengthening the Joypurhat-Akkelpur-Badalgachhi highway and Khetlal-Gopinathpur-Akkelpur district highway (Tk74.51 crore).