The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved eight development projects with an estimated cost of Tk2,266.41 crore.

The approval came from the 12th ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year (FY26) held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat here with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair.

Of the total project cost, Tk2,229.13 crore will be financed from the government’s own resources, while the remaining Tk37.28 crore will come from the implementing agencies’ own funds.

Among the approved projects, three are new, three are revised and two have received tenure extensions.

According to the Ministry of Planning, the approved projects cover a wide range of sectors, including water resources, transportation, public administration, health, defence, education and energy.

In the water resources sector, ECNEC approved the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Barisal Irrigation Project (Phase-1).

In the road transport sector, approval was given for upgrading the Anwara–Banshkhali–Toitong–Pekua–Badarkhali–Chakaria (Eidmoni) Regional Highway (R-170) (from Kalabibir Dighi to Eidmoni) to Proper Standards and Width.

A public administration project involving the installation of lifts at circuit houses in 33 districts and at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Thakurgaon was also cleared.

In the health sector, ECNEC approved the expansion project of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute under Project-2.

The committee also approved the first revised phase of the project for constructing a cancer centre at Combined Military Hospital Dhaka.

The education sector received approval for two revised projects.

These include continued support for the Madrasa Education Management and Information System (MEMIS) and the establishment of multimedia classrooms in 653 madrasas across the country.