Ecnec Approves 12 Projects Worth Tk 8,149cr for FY26

Today, ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the 12th ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Sunday approved 12 development projects with a total estimated cost of Tk 8,149.38 crore, including a major initiative for the development of the University of Dhaka worth Tk 2,840.39 crore.

The approvals came at ECNEC’s 12th meeting under the current interim government, and the first for the 2025–26 fiscal year (FY26), held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the session, while Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud briefed the media afterward.

Of the total project allocation, Tk 8,058.77 crore will be funded by the government, Tk 143.33 crore through project assistance, and Tk 52.72 crore from implementing agencies' own resources.

Among the approved projects, six are new, four revised, and two received time extensions without increased costs.

A key highlight is the development project for the University of Dhaka. Dr Mahmud said the current university administration was advised to prepare a long-term master plan after the transition of leadership. The approved project will include construction and renovation of academic and residential buildings, dormitories, a stadium, and a swimming pool.

He stressed that residential facilities for female students would be expanded and that historic sites such as SM Hall and Curzon Hall would be preserved. To maximise land use, all new constructions will be multi-storey.

The Dhaka University development project includes six academic buildings, four female dormitories, five male dormitories, two residential buildings for faculty and staff, and five other supporting structures.

Referring to a project inspection by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), the Planning Adviser said they expect a full report explaining why contractors abandoned several projects following the change in administration, how much project directors were accountable, and why full payments were made before project completion under the previous regime.

Dr Mahmud also criticised the Gazipur–Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project as an unplanned mega initiative. He recommended forming a technical committee to investigate the project's origin, planning process, and whether a proper feasibility study was conducted. He also mentioned proposals to repurpose the BRT lanes as toll-based rapid lanes.

The meeting also withdrew a proposal to construct flats for families of the July uprising martyrs, pending further evaluation.

Other approved projects include:

Establishment/reconstruction of 20 Fire Service & Civil Defence stations – Tk 650.96 crore

Logistics and fleet facility development for Bangladesh Coast Guard (2nd revision) – Tk 173.21 crore

Rural Sanitation Project – Tk 1,989.82 crore

Canal excavation from Bahaddarhat Baroipara to Karnaphuli River (3rd revision) – reduced to Tk 19.40 crore

Railway maintenance in Eastern region – Tk 1,791.66 crore

Construction of Officers' Mess and BOQ at Mirpur Cantonment (1st revision) – Tk 75.45 crore

Road construction along Karnaphuli River bank (2nd revision) – Tk 469.15 crore

Income-generating training for women (Phase 2) – Tk 395.83 crore

Expansion of Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation museum (1st revision) – Tk 12.89 crore

Tuber crop research strengthening – Tk 100 crore

Smart pre-payment metering in BPDB distribution zones (1st revision) – Tk 151.43 crore

The meeting also reviewed 18 previously approved projects and approved changes to the titles of two projects.

Relevant advisers, Planning Commission members, and senior officials were present.