ECNEC approves 9 projects worth Tk 10,331.75cr
STAFF REPORTER
The Executive Committee of National Economic of Council (ECNEC) yesterday approved the Countrywide ponds and canals development project with an estimated cost of Tk 1,334.95 crore in a bid to preserve surface water through development and re-excavation of ponds and canals.
The approval came at the ECNEC meeting at the NEC conference room in the citys Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area with its Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing the reporters after the meeting, State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan said ECNEC approved nine project involving Tk 10,331.75 crore. The cost of all the projects will come from the state exchequer.
The State Minister for Finance and Planning said that the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division (LGD) will implement the ponds and canals development project by June 2023 at 400 upazilas under 56 districts of eight divisions.
According to project document, the Integrated Water Resources Management Unit (IWRMU) under the LGED made a district-wise list of ponds and canals after making in-field inspection. As per that survey, there are some 14,910 khas ponds, 3,493 institutional ponds and 6,536 Khas canals across the country.
Out of that, there will be re-excavation of some 921 Khas canals (2,372 kilometer), re-excavation of some 1,611 institutional ponds (1702 acres).
MA Mannan said that once the project is implemented, it would help to preserve surface water, improve the drainage system, improve forests management through tree plantation and thus striking balance in environment, and help to handle the flood water and excess rain water.
The State Minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the authorities concerned to enforce strict monitoring during the implementation of the project fearing that there might be some irregularities in such nature of project.
In this regard, she put emphasis on close monitoring during implementation of the project.
The Prime Minister also suggested for associating the local public representatives including MPs, Upazila and union parishad chairmen to ensure smooth implementation of the project.
The ECNEC also approved the Construction of Somajseba Complex in 64 districts (22 districts in 1st phase) project with entire government fund. The Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare will implement the project by June 2020.
MA Mannan said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the meeting directed the authorities concerned to construct the complexes considering proper sedate and security measures, local culture and weather.
The other projects approved in the meeting are primary education stipend project, 3rd phase, with Tk 6,923.06 crore (1st revised), upgrading Begumganj-Sonapur portion of Feni-Noakhali highway into four-lane involving Tk 329.22 crore, upgrading Sirajganj town portion of Nolka-Sirajganj-Soydabad regional highway into four-lane and the rest of two lane at cost of Tk 264.26 crore, construction of Bangladesh-Myanmar moitree road (Balukhali-Ghundhum) border road, 1st revised, with Tk 114.95 crore, construction of Kushtia road bypass road, 2nd revised, involving Tk 106.36 crore, east-west road construction from Rajshahi-Naogaon main road to Mohonpur-Rajshahi-Natore road, 1st revised, involving Tk 182.68 crore and left riverbank protection of Dhaleswari River under Delduar Upazila in Tangail with Tk 114.27 crore.
Minister and State Ministers attended the meeting while Planning Commission members and Secretaries concerned were present.
