The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved 10 projects, including a Tk1,803-crore one, to minimize damages caused by flood and riverbank erosion in four districts -- Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail and Manikganj.
The approval came from the Ecnec meeting presided over by Prime Minister and Ecnec Chair Sheikh Hasina. She joined it virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
The ministers and others concerned got connected from the NEC conference room in Dhaka.
“Today the meeting approved a total of 10 projects, including five revised ones, with the overall estimated cost of Tk4,621.34 crore (only additional costs of five projects were counted here),” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters.
Of the cost, Tk3,055.21 crore will come from government funds and the remaining Tk1,566.13 from foreign sources, he said.
Talking about Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (Project-2) involving Tk1,803.06 crore, he said the Bangladesh Water Development Board will implement the project by December 2025.
According to the project factsheet of the Planning Commission, Tk1329.77 crore will come as loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), while Tk151.56 crore from the Netherlands government as project assistance. And the rest will come from government funds.
The project will be executed in Bera, Shahjadpur, Belkuchi, Chouhali, Tangail Sadar, Nagarpur, Daulatpur, Harirampur and Shibalaya upazilas of the four districts -- Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail and Manikganj.
The main objectives of the project include improving the livelihood of the people living in the vicinity of Jamuna and Padma rivers, developing flood and riverbank risk management through structural changes enhancing institutional capacity and reducing riverbank erosion.
Its major operations include 30km riverbank protection, 7.9km dam construction, 40km adaptation work, 6km emergency work and 3km dam management.