The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Sunday approved 13 development projects involving TK 9,110 crore along with three big projects in the Power Sector, including a 275MW coal-based power plant at Barapukuria.
The approval came at its meeting held at the NEC conference room with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said of the total project outlay of TK 9110 crore, TK 3649 crore will come from the national exchequer while Tk 5461 crore in project assistance.
Under the power sector project, ‘Extension of Barapukuria Coal Fired Thermal Power Station by 275 MW (3rd Unit)’, a 3rd 275 MW unit will be set up as an extension of the existing 250 MW Barapukuria coal fired thermal power plant, sources at the Planning Ministry said.
The project cost is TK 2,688 core of which Tk 1,836 crore would come from China Industrial and commercial Bank as buyer’s credit. The total project cost also includes TK 648 crore from government fund and TK 204 crore BPDB’s own fund. The project is expected to be completed by November 2017.
Asked what method would be selected for extracting coal for the Barapukuria project, the Planning Minister said the existing methodology of drilling would not be changed.
He also said the government has a plan for generating 17,000 MW of power by 2017 while 24,000 MW by 2021, including 14,000 MW from coal-based power.
The other power sector project approved in the meeting is ‘Chapainawabganj 100 MW HFO Based Power Plant’ at a cost of TK 1,114 crore.
Under the project, a 100 Megawatt HFO based power plant Chapainawabganj Sadar at a cost of Tk 1,114 crore. Of the total project amount, the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) would provide a credit of Tk 893 crore for the project while the government and BPDB would provide TK 146 crore and TK 75 crore respectively.
The Ecnec meeting also gave nod to another Power Division project involving TK 55 crore aiming to construct the proposed Khulna coal-based power plant connecting road.
The other projects approved at the meeting are: ‘Secondary education quality and access enhancement project’ (TK 3401 crore, GoB TK 698 crore and PA TK 2703); Innovative Management of Resources for Poverty Alleviation Through Comprehensive Technology (IMPACT): Phase-2) project’ (TK 38 crore-GoB); ‘Learning & Earning Development Project’ (TK 180 crore-GoB); ‘Construction of Small Bridges/Culverts (up to 12m long) at the Chittagong Hill Tracts Region (2nd Phase)” (TK 133 crore-GoB); ‘Greater Mymensingh Rural Infrastructure Development project’ (TK 444 crore-GoB); ‘Construction of 4 bridges at Bakshigonj and Dewangonj Upazila of Jamalpur district’ (TK 152 crore-GoB); ‘Water supply in 37 district city (1st revised)’ (TK 754 crore-GoB); ‘Replacement and modernisation of Signaling and interlocking system of 3 stations under Ashuganj-Akhaura (TK 40 crore, GoB TK 10 crore and PA taka 30 crore’; “Bangladesh Railway Khulna station & yard remodeling and Benapole railway station operational facilities development (1st revised) project’ (TK 76 crore-GoB) and ‘Mirzapur (Gorai)-Shakhipur road development (revised) Project’ (TK 36 crore-GoB).
Ecnec members, including Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, ministers concerned, Members of the Planning Commission, secretaries and officials concerned were present at the meeting.
-UNB
