ECNEC clears a Tk 5,616.50cr project to remove water logging from the port city

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DHAKA Aug 9, 2017 (BSS)-The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved a Tk 5,616.50 crore project to free the port city of Chittagong from vexing water logging.

Implementation of the project – canal re-excavation, extension, renovation and development to solve water logging in Chittagong city – will help remove of rainwater quickly from the city, said planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal while briefing journalists after the ECNEC meeting at NEC here.

ECNEC chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting held at the NEC Conference room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Kamal said the ECNEC approved a total of 11 projects involving an overall cost of Tk 9,761.24 crore. Of the approved 11 projects, 10 are new while one is revised one.

Of the total project cost, Tk 8,267.86 crore will come from the national exchequer while Tk 703.38 crore from the own funds of organizations concerned and the rest of Tk 790 crore as project assistance, he said.

Kamal said 57 canals carry away waste and rainwater of Chittagong, a city of 80,000 people but these canals fail to remove waste and rainwater because of illegal occupation and clogging.

It is urgent to remove water logging from the port city because the Chittagong port deals the lion portion of the country’s export-import, he said, adding that besides, the development of infrastructure of the port city is needed for expansion of tourism and encouring foreign investment.

Under the project, a total of 36 canals in and outside the port city will be re-excavated, Kamal said, adding that there is a plan to build 10.77 kilometers side-drain, 1,76,000 meters retaining wall and 86 kilometers road. Besides, there is also plan to build 48 PC bridges and six culverts, he said.

Kamal said Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) under the housing and public works ministry will implement the project from July 2017 to June 2020.

Other approved projects included: ferry and pontoon building (Tk 399.71 crore), Rajapur-Kathalia-Bamna-Patharghata highway development project (Tk 114.41 crore), Keranihat-Satkania-Gunagari district highway expansion and development project (Tk 79.19 crore), construction of tourism Bhaban in Agargaon (Tk 62.82 crore), Palli Jibikayan Prakalpa (Tk 569.51 crore), Bhuyapur-Tarakandi road protection project by preserving the left-bank of river Jamuna in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur district (Tk 203.70 crore), acquisition of land for Maheshkhali Power Hub (Tk 1,324.66 crore) and export competitiveness for jobs project (Tk 941 crore).