FBD Desk:

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved four development projects, including a Tk 199-crore one to set up a dried fish-processing industry in Cox’s Bazar to produce quality dried fish and increase its production minimising fish wastage.

The approval came from the 14th Ecnec meeting of the current fiscal year, held at the NEC Bhaban in the city.Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting joining from Ganobhaban through a videoconference.

“Today four projects of four ministries were approved. The total estimated cost of the four projects is Tk 2,459.15 crore (only additional costs of the two revised projects were counted here),” said Planning Division Secretary Md Ashadul Islam said while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Of the cost, Tk 1,669.31 crore will be borne from the national exchequer, while Tk 182.14 crore from the fund of the organisations concerned and the rest Tk 607.70 from the foreign sources as loan assistance.

The Secretary said the project titled ‘Establishment of Dried Fish Processing Industry in Cox’s Bazar District’ will be implemented spending Tk 198.79 crore from January 2021 to December 2023.   Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation will execute the project at Khurushkul in Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila.

The main objectives of the project include producing quality dried fish, reducing fish wastage, increasing dried fish production, and improving the dried fish preserving and marketing systems.

The major project operations include construction of 2500-square metre landing shed, 1860-square metre four-storey laboratory, office, training centre-cum-dormitory, four-chambered cold storage with a 100-ton capacity and 36 dried fish sale centres and an electricity substation.

Ecnec also endorsed another new project titled ‘Protection of Singrabari, Patgram and Baikhola Area under Kazipur Upazila of Sirajganj district from the erosion of Jamuna River’s Right Bank’ involving Tk 560.07 crore.  Bangladesh Water Development Board will implement the project from October 2020 from June 2023.

The major objectives of the project to protect assets and property like residential buildings, schools, colleges, mosques, madrashas, hatbazars, union parishad buildings, health complex, different public and private infrastructures, arable lands and roads worth around Tk 4,344.25 crore from the erosion of Jamuna River.

The main project operations include 6km riverbank protection, reshaping of 12.40km flood protection embankment and 1.15km affected riverbank protection.

Besides, Ecnec cleared two revised projects – ‘Upgradation of Pachdona-Danga-Ghorashal-District Highway into Four-Lane with separate service lanes on both sides (including Danga Bazar-Islampur link) (1st revised)’ project with an additional cost of Tk 551.51 crore and ‘Installation of Aminbazar-Mawa-Mongla 400KV Transmission Line (1st revised)’ project with an additional cost of Tk 1,148.78 crore.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to have proper planning for capital dredging to conduct maintenance dredging in major rivers to keep the water flow normal, the secretary said.

The Prime Minister also asked the authorities concerned to place dredging-related projects before Ecnec soon and come up with a permanent plan or measure over river dredging.She again put emphasis on completion of the project within the stipulated time.(Source:UNB)