Ecnec clears revised Padma Bridge Rail Link Project

Staff Correspondent: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (first revised) involving Tk 39,246.80 crore.

It also cleared 15 other projects, including the 4th Primary Education Development Programs (PEDP-4), involving Tk 38,397.16 crore.

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

"A total of 16 projects were approved with an estimated cost of Tk 96,235 crore,” said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Of the overall estimated cost, Tk 52,685.05 crore will come from government funds, while Tk 43,221.17 crore as project assistance and Tk 328.55 crore from the own funds of the organisations concerned.

Among the 16 approved projects, 12 are new while four are revised ones.

The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project will be implemented by June 2024. The original cost of the project was Tk 34,988.86 crore, which has now been raised to Tk 39,246.80 crore.

risingbd/Dhaka/May 22, 2018/Hasibul/A K Azad