PM concerned over waste disposal problem
Ecnec today approved nine projects at an estimated cost of Tk13,639 crore
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed concern over the problems of Dhaka's waste management and instructed the relevant authorities to work on generating electricity from garbage.
The instruction came from the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).
Planning Minister MA Mannan briefed journalists about the outcome of the meeting.
He said Ecnec approved nine projects at an estimated cost of Tk13,639 crore.
The government will provide Tk8,886.44 crore from its own funds and the implementing agencies will arrange Tk293.41 crore. The remaining amount will come from foreign sources as project loans.
The planning minister said Sheikh Hasina had expressed her initial consent to foreign investments for producing power from waste.
"But, the investment should be consistent with the environment and our demand," MA Mannan said, quoting Sheikh Hasina.
MA Mannan said Ecnec approved a project to double the cargo handling capacity of Mongla Port and quadruple its container handling capacity. The estimated cost of the project is Tk6,014.62 crore.
He said the project has provisions for two container terminals, a container handling yard, a container delivery yard, a vessel jetty and building of some other infrastructures.
India's Exim Bank will provide Tk4,459.41 to implement the project, and the remaining amount will come from the government's own funds.
The meeting also approved a project to develop a 27km road to connect Shariatpur with the western part of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge. The estimated cost of the project is Tk1,682.54 crore.
In order to upgrade the Anwara Upzila connecting road to Karnaphuli Tunnel in Chattogram to a four-lane highway, Ecnec approved another project with an estimated cost of Tk407 crore.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also ordered the authorities to ensure the movement of vessels during construction of bridges across rivers.
She issued the instruction during a discussion on the upgradation of river ports at Paturia and Daulatdia with a supporting infrastructure project.
Ecnec approved the project with an estimated cost of Tk1,351.70 crore.
