The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved eight projects which will be implemented at an estimated cost of Tk 10,468.24 crore (104.68 billion).
Of the projects, six are new and two are revised projects, including the one for constructing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge over the River Jamuna with an additional cost of Taka 7,046.88 crore.
The approval came at a meeting held at NEC conference room in the city’s Agargaon area on Tuesday with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said that of the total cost, Taka 5,964.74 crore will come from the government, Tk 78.63 crore from the fund of the organizations concerned and the rest of Tk 4,424.87 crore from project assistance.
He said Bangladesh Railway under the Ministry of Railways will implement the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge project by December 2025.
“The total cost for the project reached Tk 16,780.95 crore with the latest revision. Of the total cost, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide Tk 12,149.19 crore,” Mannan said.
He said the project cost of the railway bridge has been increased following a study conducted by JICA to further strengthen the structure.
“The railway bridge project is a star project of the government and this dual-gauge double-track railway bridge would be constructed around 300 metres upstream of the existing Bangabandhu Bridge,” he added.
The main components of the project include the construction of a 4.8-kilometre bridge, a 7.6-kilometre double-line railway approach embankment, a 30.73-kilometre dual-gauge railway track, 16 railway approach viaducts, minor bridges and culverts, and renovation and remodeling of Bangabandhu Bridge East and Bangabandhu Bridge West stations and yards.
They also include construction of railway museum and ancillary infrastructures, conducting dredging at the approach channel and harbour of the River Jamuna, and strengthening river training on both sides of the bridge.
