TDS Desk:

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved four major projects at its second meeting under the interim government, including the construction of a rail-cum-road bridge over the Karnaphuli River at Kalurghat, Chattogram.

The project involving Tk11,560.76 crore aims at boosting rail connectivity with China, India, and Myanmar.

The other three projects are SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2 (2nd revision): Upgrading the Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur highway to four lanes, Resilient Urban and Territorial Development Project (RUTDP): Improving climate-resilient urban infrastructure, and Matarbari Port Development Project (2nd revision).

The total estimated cost of the four approved projects is around Tk24,413 crore, with Tk7,746.66 crore coming from government funds, Tk16,012.33 crore from project loans, and Tk653.95 crore from different organisations’ own funds.

Among those projects, two were revised and two were new. Approvals for them were granted during an ECNEC meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office, Planning and Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud told reporters at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after the meeting on Monday.

BRIDGE OVER KARNAPHULI

The Ministry of Railways is leading the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Karnaphuli River. The project is designed to replace the existing narrow bridge and will significantly improve rail connectivity between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.

Moreover, the bridge will be a crucial link in the Trans-Asian Railway Network. The project is scheduled to be completed by December 2030. Of its total cost, Tk4,435.63 crore will be funded by the Bangladesh government, while Tk7,125.14 crore will be provided through loans from South Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF).

Key features of the bridge include a 700-metre structure over the Karnaphuli River, 6.2 kilometers of viaduct construction, 4.54 kilometers of embankment, and 11.44 kilometers of new railway track.

The project will also include a 2.40-kilometre road viaduct. Consultants will oversee design and construction, ensuring the project meets technical and safety standards. This modernised infrastructure is expected to enhance regional transportation and connectivity.

CLIMATE-RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNED

The Resilient Urban and Territorial Development Project (RUTDP) involving Tk5,901.22 crore aims to improve climate-resilient infrastructure in six city corporations and 81 municipalities across 37 districts.

The government will provide Tk1,641.62 crore, while the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA)  will provide Tk4,259.60 crore loan for the project.

The SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2 – initially approved with a budget of Tk11,899 crore – has been revised to Tk19,056 crore. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide Tk11,195 crore in loans, and the government will contribute Tk7,860 crore for the project.

The project timeline has been extended to December 2026, and it will upgrade the Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur highway across multiple districts.

Meanwhile, the budget for the Matarbari Port Development Project (2nd revision) reached Tk24,381 crore, up from the initial Tk17,777 crore. The government will provide Tk3,544 crore, while the organisation will provide Tk2,867 from its own fund.

JICA will also provide a loan of Tk17,969 crore for the project that is expected to enhance port infrastructure in Cox’s Bazar by 2026.