ECNEC makes upward revision of 3rd Karnaphuli bridge project

The government's highest economic policy-making body ECNEC made an upward revision of the 3rd Karnaphuli Bridge project by nearly 50 per cent to Tk 6.51 billion Tuesday due to failure of its implementation on time.
Presided over by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) endorsed the revision of the project for the second time at its meeting in the city.
The meeting also approved six other development projects at a combine cost of Tk 25.75 billion.
The government has to spend 48.33 per cent or Tk 2.12 billion more than the original cost for constructing the third bridge on the Karnaphuli river due to delay in implementing the project, started in 2001, Planning Commission officials said.
The original cost of the 3rd Karnaphuli Bridge Construction Project was Tk 4.39 billion in 2001 which was first revised upward to Tk 5.90 billion by the ECNEC.
Emerging from the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the ECNEC approved seven projects at a total cost of Tk 31.90 billion at its 17th meeting in the current fiscal.
The Communications Ministry in 2001 undertook the third Karanaphuli bridge construction project at a cost of Tk 4.39 billion to be completed by 2010.
Among the other approved projects, the ECNEC endorsed the Establishment of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and Integrated Maritime Navigation System project at a cost of Tk 3.71 billion, Modern warehouse construction project at Tk 19.20 billion, further development of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology university in Gopalganj at Tk 1.05 billion, Ambulance service expansion of the Fire Service Department at Tk 348.2 million, Bhairab river dredging at Tk 783.3 million, RDA Farm and Laboratory Scholl and College improvement project at Tk 342.1 million.