DHAKA, Sept 12, 2023 (BSS) - The Executive Committee of the National Economic

Council (ECNEC) today approved a Taka 4,282.76 crore project to ensure
expansion and modernization of the facilities at Mongla Port in Bagerhat.

The approval came from a meeting of the ECNEC held with its Chairperson and
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the NEC Conference Room in the
city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said a
total of 19 projects were approved today involving an overall estimated cost
of Taka 18,066.52 crore. "Of the total project cost, Taka 12,060.19 crore
will come from the government of Bangladesh portion, Taka 450.72 crore from
the concerned organisation's own fund while the rest of Taka 5,555.61 crore
as project assistance," he added.

Of the approved 19 projects, 13 are new while seven are revised projects.

The Mongla Port Authority under the Ministry of Shipping will implement the
project by June 2027 with Taka 3,782.36 crore loan from China on G-2-G basis.

The main objectives of the project are ensuring modern port facilities at
Mongla alongside enhancing its container handling capacity, constructing
container terminal as well as container delivery yard and container yard,
ensuring hazardous cargo handling facilities.

The main project operations include general works, land development,
pavement, marines structures and handling equipments.

The other projects approved in the meeting are: Upgrading district highways
into due standard and width, Khulna Zone, first revised with an additional
cost of Taka 106.17 crore, Upgrading Feni (Mohammad Ali Bazar)-Chagalnaiya-
Korerhut Road (Dhaka-Chattogram old Highway) and constructing Shuvopur Bridge
over River Feni) with Taka 549.93 crore, Emergency rehabilitation and
reconstruction of different roads, bridges and culverts affected during the
flood in 2022 under Sunamganj and Habiganj road division with Taka 2,681.24
crore, Construction of Kodomrosum Bridge over River Sitalakshya near five
number Ghat under Narayanganj City Corporation, first revised with an
additional cost of Taka 144.43 crore, Physical Infrastructures development of
Gazipur City Corporation (road and drains), third revised with no additional
cost, Land acquisition for constructing sewerage treatment plant at
Reyerbazar area with Taka 1,780 crore, Constructing Majar Mosque on the
premises of Bangladesh Supreme Court with Taka 110.58 crore, Developing
transmission infrastructures in the Southern region of Chattogram Division
and at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech City with Taka 2,762.43 crore, Cent percent reliable
and sustainable electrification at Hatia Island, Nijhum Island and Kutubdia
Island, first revised with an additional cost of Taka 262.76 crore.

The other projects approved in the meeting are: Construction of 13 new buffer
godowns in different districts of the country for preservation of fertilizers
and ensuring distribution facilities, third revised with a reduced cost of
Taka 1.36 crore, Strengthening distribution operations of seeds by BADC at
farmers level with Taka 282.62 crore, Integrated livestock development in the
riverine char areas of Manikganj, Dhaka, Munshiganj, Rajbari, Faridpur,
Madaripur and Shariatpur districts with Taka 303.67 crore, Protecting Old
Hijla, Baushia and Horinathpur areas under Hijla upazila from the River
Erosion of Meghna with Taka 628.86 crore, Protecting Majhirghat Zero Point
area from the erosion of right embankment of River Padma under Zanzira
upazila of Shariatpur district with Taka 859.77 crore, Construction of
accommodation for the insolvent valiant freedom fighters, first revised with
an additional cost of Taka 1,973.54 crore, Further development of Bangladesh
Agricultural University, first revised with an additional cost of Taka 363.70
crore, Improving capacity of womenfolk through creating scopes in productive
and potential works, second phase with Taka 148.40 crore and Chandpur Town
Protection Rehabilitation with Taka 827.02 crore.

The meeting also approved the increased timeframe of a project without
raising its cost.

Ministers and State Ministers attended the meeting while planning commission
members and secretaries concerned were present.