The interim government has approved 11 development projects in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The government will spend 24 thousand 412 crores 94 lakhs to implement them.

Out of this, 7 thousand 746 crore 66 lakh rupees from government funds, 16 thousand 12 crore 33 lakh rupees from project loans and 653 crore 95 lakh rupees from implementing agencies.

This approval was given in the meeting held at the Chief Adviser's office on Monday. After that, planning and education advisor Dr. NEC conference room in the city of Sherebangla Nagar. Wahid Uddin Mahmud briefed the journalists.

ECNEC meeting was chaired by Chief Advisor ECNEC Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The members of the planning commission and the secretaries of the ministries concerned with the project were present.

In the briefing, the planning and education adviser said that where the development project vehicles go and how many jeeps an officer uses will be found out. For this reason, it was decided in a meeting that a list of the government vehicles in the whole country including the district upazila will be made. It will be seen which car, where it is, how long it is valid and asked to give all the information.

He also said that 3, 4 and 5 hundred teachers in the university all want to become VC, ProVC. No one wants to teach. Why is this happening?

In response to a question, he said that there is political influence between GDP growth and inflation. We have now increased the efficiency of BBS and allowed them to work independently. The accounts they come up with I don't see anything legally just signing.

He also said that private investment in the country is less. Meanwhile, we are also taking up projects very carefully and carefully. Also the political projects which have not yet started are not being taken up. Political projects that are nearing completion are being shelved when they are no longer necessary. As a result, government investment is also decreasing. Due to this the money flow has decreased. People in the village say business is not good. Along with this, earlier there were various political activities, processions, meetings and gatherings, people were hired by trucks. It would increase the flow of money. There are no such activities yet. I am not saying they will be introduced again.

In response to another question, he said that now corruption and bribery have stopped.

It was informed in Eknek meeting that 19 thousand 56 crore Sasek road connection project-2: Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur highway four-lane upgrading project has been increased by 423 crore rupees. Newly extended by 2 years till December 2026. Asian Development Bank (ADB) is giving 11 thousand 193 crores as loan for this project. Land acquisition, shifting of utilities and increase in expenditure in other sectors have been cited as reasons for the increase in expenditure.

Besides, the Resilient Urban and Territorial Development (RUTDP) project has been approved at a cost of Tk 5,901 crore to increase the climate resilient urban infrastructure development and services of 6 city corporations and 81 municipalities included in the three economic growth corridors selected. The World Bank is lending Tk 4,259 crore to the project. Under the project, 880 km urban road development, 2000 meter bridge or culvert construction, 200 km walkway or footpath construction, 595 km street light installation and other works will be done.

11,560 crore project to construct a rail-cum-road bridge over Karnaphuli river at Kalurghat in Chittagong. It is lending 7 thousand 125 crores to Korea. However, Ekne was approved to implement the project in 2018 at a cost of Tk 1,163 crore. That is, the project has been approved with foreign loans at a cost of 10 times.

Matarbari Port Development (2nd Revised) project was approved in Ecnec meeting. The cost of the project has increased to 24 thousand 381 crores. 6 thousand 574 crore expenditure is increasing in the second amendment. The project has been extended for another 3 years till December 2029.

The objective of the project is to increase the cargo handling capacity of Bangladesh by constructing a deep sea port at Cox's Bazar Matarbari and reduce the pressure on the Chittagong port to meet future international trade needs. Through the project, 1 thousand 291 hectares of land will be acquired and rehabilitated, construction of 760 meters of berth, construction of 397 meters of breakwater, construction of 16.525 kilometers of roads including road protection.

Meanwhile, 7 more projects were approved by Ekne for extension. They are - Construction of New Circuit House in Kushtia District (1st Revised) Project, Upgradation of Bhuapur-Tarakandi District Highway (Z-4801) to proper standard and width (1st Revised) Project, Bairagipul (Barisal)-Tumchar-Bauphal (Patuakhali) District Highway ( Z-8-910) Upgrading to proper standard and width (1st Revised) Project, Upgrading the road of Barisal-Bhola-Laxmipur National Highway (N-809) from Barisal (Char Kaua) to Laxmipur via Bhola (Ilish Ferighat) to proper standard and width ( 1st Revised) Scheme. Construction of PC girder bridge (Rajapur Bridge) on 14th km of Kulaura-Prithimpasha-Hazipur-Sharifpur (Z-2822) road and 7.5 km link road construction project.

Apart from this, approval has been given for extension of two projects of Industry and Energy Department. These are Pre-Payment Metering Project for Six NOCS Divisions under DPDC (Special Revised) and Establishment of New Campus of Jagannath University: Land Acquisition and Development Project.