The government on Wednesday rolled out a Tk 5.69 billion project to construct three underpasses and a U-loop on

Dhaka-Chattogram highway to lower risks of accidents on the important highway known as the country’s economic lifeline.

The meeting also approved another project of Tk 4.27 billion to create jobs for expatriate workers who returned home after the corona pandemic. Under the scheme, Tk 13,500 cash support will be given to each of some 2 lakh returnee migrants in 32 districts.

The World Bank will provide Tk 4.25 billion loan for the project, Planning Minister MA Mannan said at a post-meeting briefing later.

The Ecnec meeting approved a total of 10 projects involving an overall cost of Tk 25.75 billion, including Tk 21.50 billion from GoB fund and Tk 4.25 billion World Bank loan, Mannan informed.

Newly appointed State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam, Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned also joined the briefing.

Ecnec approved a project for Left embankment protection work of River Padma at various places under Louhajang and Tongibari upazilas at Munshiganj district spending Tk 4.46 billion.

The 1st revision of reconstruction and rehabilitation of iron bridges in the southern part of the country was given nod with an additional cost of Tk 4.98 billion.

A TK 1.47 billion project was okayed to construct Bangladesh Chancery Building at Canberra in Australia.

The 3rd revision to the district-wise female computer training project got approved with an additional cost of Tk 318.2 million.

BSCIC Food Processing Industrial Estate in Thakurgaon was approved with estimated cost of Tk 986.1 million.

A full-fledged pediatric cardiology and pediatric surgery unit will be installed at BSMMU at a cost of Tk 720.9 million under another approved scheme.

Newly appointed State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam told the news briefing that his task would be to bring dynamism in the project implementation process since implementation is a very important issue.

Besides food and milk processing, Prime Minister has put emphasis on producing herbal medicines in the country, Dr Alam informed.

The other projects approved in the meeting are upgrading district highways with due standard and width, Mymensingh Zone (1st revision) with an additional cost of Tk 1.12bn, modernisation and expansion of services and research facilities of Institute of Tissue Banking and Biomaterial Research of Tk 1.74bn.