The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved six projects at a cost of Tk7,018.73 crore.
The meeting was presided over by Ecnec Chair and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually from Ganabhaban.
The projects include one on restoring four canals in Dhaka at a cost of Tk899 crore. Under the scheme, around 20km of four canals –Kalunagar, Jirani, Manda, and Shyamnagar—under the Dhaka South City Corporation will be restored to solve waterlogging and improve the environment through beautification work.
“The meeting approved five fresh projects and one revised project. The total estimated cost of the six projects, including the revised one, is Tk7,018.73 crore,” Planning Minister MA Mannan told a news briefing after the meeting, reports UNB.
Of the total funds, Tk4,362.63 crore will be mobilized from the government, Tk269.62 crore from the funds of an organisation concerned, and Tk2,386.48 crore from external sources such as foreign debt, he said.
According to the project factsheet, the Dhaka South City Corporation will implement the canal project, titled “Recovering and Restoration of Canals and Creation of Aesthetic Environment”, by June 2026 to restore or develop 19.78km of the four canals at the cost of Tk898.73 crore.
Of the cost, Tk629.11 crore will be spent from government funds, while the remaining Tk269.62 crore will be provided by the DSCC.
Under the project, 8.9km of Manda canal, 4.78km of Shyamnagar canal, 3.9km of Jirani canal and 2.4km of Kalunagar canal will be restored or developed.
The major project operations include cleaning up the canals, removing siltation, construction of slope protection and drainage structures, landscaping and greening the areas.
Besides, 38.06 km of eye-catching protection walls, 36 pedestrian bridges, 19 bridges for car movement, 10 public toilets, 32.44 km of walkways, 04 plazas and bicycle lanes will be installed, while 771 beautiful lamps will be in place to create an aesthetic environment and enhance civic amenities under the project.
Ecnec also cleared the first revision of Ghorasal Polash Urea Fertilizer Project, raising its cost from Tk10,460.91 crore to Tk15,500.21 crore and extending the project deadline to June 2024 from June 2022.