The government is set to place 14 major development projects worth Tk3,256.89 crore before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval today.

The projects, covering infrastructure, agriculture, energy, health, and overseas diplomatic facilities, are designed to strengthen national development and service delivery, a senior Planning Commission official told the Daily Sun. Of the total proposed outlay, Tk2,190.37 crore will come from the government’s own funds, Tk1,016.82 crore from project loans, and Tk50 crore from the implementing agencies’ own resources.

Among the projects, four are new, seven are revised, and three involve time extensions without additional costs.

Key projects up for approval include PRO-ACT Bangladesh - Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar, costing Tk50.02 crore and scheduled for implementation from July 2025 to June 2028 by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Another major initiative, the Climate Resilient and Livelihood Enhancement Project (CRALEP), led by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives, involves Tk1,268.80 crore and spans from January 2020 to December 2030.

Large-scale infrastructure projects include the Khulna Division Rural Infrastructure Development Project (third revision) (Tk2,753 crore, January 2017-June 2027), the Jamalpur City Urban Development and Cultural Centre Project (third revision) (Tk188.22 crore, March 2016-December 2025), and the Internal Roads, Drainage, and Footpath Construction in Gazipur City Corporation (Zones 1-5) (third revision) (Tk1,597.71 crore, ending in December 2026).

Other urban development projects on the table include Uttara Lake Development (first revision) (Tk90.73 crore, July 2014-June 2026) and the Bangladesh Chancery Complex in Canberra, Australia (first revision) (Tk261.10 crore, July 2021-June 2025).

Transport and communication initiatives feature prominently, including the Kishoreganj-Pakundia-Mirzapur-Tok Highway Upgradation (first revision) (Tk729.79 crore, November 2019-June 2026) and the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Western and Eastern Railway Level Crossings (fifth revision), estimated to cost between Tk130.50 crore and Tk208.02 crore, running from July 2015 to June 2027.

The proposed industrial, energy, and health sector projects include the Expansion and Modernisation of BSTI Physical and Chemical Testing Laboratory (Tk85.19 crore, July 2025-June 2028), the Ghiorashal third Unit Re-powering Project (second revision) (Tk2,954.66 crore, January 2011-June 2027), and the Upgrading of Pabna Mental Hospital into an International Standard Mental Health Institute (Tk1,365.18 crore, January 2025-December 2027).According to planning officials, these projects collectively aim to enhance infrastructure, industrial capacity, social services, and healthcare across the country, reflecting the government’s commitment to resilient growth and modernisation.

Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud and senior advisers overseeing law, agriculture, energy, industry, housing, environment, and water resources are expected to attend the meeting.

“This is a significant portfolio of projects that can accelerate inclusive development across multiple sectors,” said a senior Planning Commission official. The ECNEC meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Prof Muhammad Yunus, will be held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

In addition, ECNEC members were briefed on 12 other projects previously approved by the planning adviser, covering sectors such as light engineering, e-waste management, digital broadcasting, fisheries vaccine research, rural water management, and improved road connectivity in Savar and Ashulia industrial zones.