Ecnec approves Tk 141.65cr project

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved a project for improving security along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox's Bazar.

The project titled, “Rehabilitation of Polders (67/A, 67, 67/B and 68) along Naf River at Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas for improving the security on Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox's Bazar”, will be implemented at an estimated cost of Tk 141.65 crore by June 2020.

The approval came at the regular Ecnec meeting, held at the NEC conference Room, with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the project cost will come from the national exchequer.

The minister said there is a 47.60-km-long flood control embankment and 46 water extraction infrastructures under polders 67/A, 67, 67/B and 68 built by Bangladesh Water Development Board along the right bank of the Naf river.

The flood control levee and water extraction infrastructures were damaged by natural disasters in 1991, 2007, 2008 and 2010.

“Border Guard Bangladesh has been using the embankment to resist the influx of Rohingya. It has become difficult for BGB members to continue their border patrolling works as the dam remains damaged,” he said.

The project was taken following the proposal of a technical committee formed by WDB in 2015.

In total, the meeting cleared 14 projects, also including Implementation of Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act 2012 (VAT Online) (2nd revised) project, involving an overall estimated cost of Tk 6,228.49 crore.