ECNEC Okays proposed border roads on hilly frontiers

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DHAKA, March 20, 2018 (BSS) – The National Economic Council Executive Committee (ECNEC) today approved a project to construct some 317 kilometres “border roads” on hilly frontiers with India and Myanmar along Bangladesh’s southeastern hills with a key objective of tightening border security.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the construction of the “border roads” in that particular region appeared crucial because of its susceptibility to weapon and drug smuggling and human trafficking.

He said the “border roads” on the rugged hilly frontiers would enable Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other security forces to enforce a tightened vigil and help expansion of trade and commerce in the Southeast Asia and tourism facilities in the hilly areas.

“It will facilitate as well marketing of agricultural products to boost economic activities and thus generate employment opportunities for the local people there,” the minister said.

Kamal said Roads and Highways Department and army’s Special Works Organisation were entrusted with the task of building the roads by June 2021 in six upazilas of Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati hill districts and Cox’s Bazar.

He said the cost for implementing the project was estimated to be Taka 1,699.85 crore.

Bangladesh’s southeastern hills have 540 kilometre borders with the two neighbouring countries – 330 kilometres with India and 210 with Myanmar.

The project will be implemented at Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban, Juraichhari, Borkol and Rajsthali of Rangamati, Ukhia of Cox’s Bazar and Baghaichhari of Khagrachhari.

Of the proposed 317 kilometres roads, 40 kilometres will be constructed on the Ukhia-Ashartoli-Fooltuli route, 52 kilometres on the Sajek-Shildah- Betling, 95 kilometers on Sajek-Dokanghat-Thegamukh, and 130 kilometres on Thegamukh-Loitongpara-Thachhi-Dumdumia-Rajsthali route.

According to the minister, the scheme was one of the 16 projects approved by the ECNEC today involving Taka 9,680.05 crore while of them 12 were new projects and four others were revised ones.

This was the 20th ECNEC meeting in the current fiscal, held at the NEC Conference Room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

 

The ECNEC approved another project to repair and conduct maintenance works of important 15 district highways under Dhaka zone to ensure smooth road communication.

The Roads and Highways Department under the Ministry of Road Transport
and Bridges will implement the project titled ‘District highways upgradation
in due standard and width (Dhaka Zone)’ with an estimated cost of Taka 558.44
crore.

The other projects approved in the meeting are Developing necessary
Infrastructures or facilities for conducting the operations of the Paira Deep
Sea Port, 1st revised, with Taka 3,350.51 crore, Bhoberchar-Gazaria-
Munshiganj district highway widening with due standard involving Taka 80.06
crore, Infrastructural development of Sylhet City Corporation with Taka
547.28 crore, Construction of Headquarters of National Security Intelligence
(NSI), 1st revised with Taka 249.59 crore, Construction of residential
building for government officials and employees at Noakhali Sadar with Taka
219.05 crore.

The other approved projects include Construction of Headquarters for the
Bangladesh Post Office, revised with Taka 91.90 crore, Protection and
dredging works from Bakshi Lunchghat to Baburhat Lunchghat from the erosion
of Tentulia River under Charfashion upazila in Bhola and flood control in
Kukri-Mukri island with Taka 523.36 crore, Protecting Lord Hardinge and
Dholigouranagar Bazar under Lalmohon upazila of Bhola from the erosion of
River Meghna with Taka 432.55 crore.

The other projects approved in the meeting are Riverbank Protection of
Swarnadip (Jahaijjar Char) from the erosion of River Meghna under Hatia and
Subornochar upazilas in Noakhali with Taka 88.62 crore, National crops supply
and nutrition security development through enhancing the capacity of Uddyan
Unnoyan Bibhagh of BADC with Taka 110.50 crore, Expansion of National
Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital with Taka 420.38 crore, Bangladesh
land survey education development project with Taka 278.85 crore, Ensuring
safe email and establishment of digital literacy centre for Bangladesh
government with Taka 116.31 crore and Establishment of Sheikh Hasina national
burn and plastic surgery Institute, Dhaka, 1st revised with Taka 912.80
crore.