ECNEC okays proposed border roads on hilly frontiers

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday approved a project to construct some 317 Kilometer "border roads" on hilly frontiers with India and Myanmar along Bangladesh's southeastern hills with a key objective of tightening border security, reports BSS.

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 Organization 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 kilometer borders with the two neighboring countries - 330 kilometers 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 kilometer roads, 40 kilometers will be constructed on the Ukhia-Ashartoli-Fooltuli route, 52 kilometers on the Sajek-Shildah- Betling, 95 kilometers on Sajek-Dokanghat-Thegamukh, and 130 kilometers 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 up-gradation 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.

In the meeting the other projects approved 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, 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, Establishment of Sheikh Hasina national burn and plastic surgery Institute, Dhaka, 1st revised with Taka 912.80 crore and Expansion of National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital with Taka 420.38 crore.

FU