DHAKA, Dec 23, 2024 (BSS) - The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved a total of 10 projects involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 1,974.30 crore.

The approvals came from a meeting of the ECNEC with its Chairperson and Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus in the chair, held at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Of the total cost for 10 projects, Taka 1,642.98 crore will come from the government exchequer while the rest of Taka 331.32 crore from the respective organization's own fund.

Of the approved 10 projects, seven are new while three are revised projects.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud briefed reporters following the meeting, providing details of the decisions.

Among the approved projects, the Ministry of Shipping received clearance for a project to construct river ports in the Chilmari area, which includes Ramna, Joragach, Rajibpur, Roumari, and Nayarhat.

The Ministry of Agriculture got approval for two projects: the Ashuganj-Palash Green initiative and the Sustainable Agricultural Technology Expansion project in the Cumilla region.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's project for felling economically senescent rubber trees, re-afforestation, and modernisation of rubber processing also received the green light.

The Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources secured approval for three projects: the collection and installation of a 60 MMSCFD capacity process plant for the Bhola North Gas Field, the drilling of the Rashidpur-11 exploration well, and a 2D seismic survey over exploration blocks 7 and 9.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will establish 60 daycare centres under another approved project, while the Ministry of Railways obtained approval for two initiatives aimed at rehabilitating and upgrading level crossing gates in the eastern and western regions of Bangladesh Railway.

In addition, ECNEC members were informed about six projects recently endorsed by the planning adviser.

The meeting also addressed concerns about the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project in Moulvibazar. After reviewing findings that highlighted its potential adverse impact on the biodiversity of the Lathitila forest, ECNEC approved the cancellation of the project.

Several advisors, including those overseeing finance, commerce, environment, and water resources, along with senior officials, were present at the ECNEC meeting.