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The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Sunday approved 12 development projects -- six new and as many revised -- involving a fresh investment of over Tk 81.49 billion.
However, the committee rejected a controversial revision of the long-delayed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, citing serious flaws in its design and planning.
The approvals came during ECNEC's 12th meeting under the interim government, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
Of the approved funding, Tk 80.59 billion will come from the public exchequer, Tk 527.2 million from implementing agencies' own resources, and Tk 1.43 billion from foreign loans, said Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud at a post-meeting press briefing.
In a rare move, ECNEC rejected the fourth revision proposal of the much-criticised Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project, which sought to increase the cost by Tk 23.29 billion.
"The project is monstrous and unplanned," Dr Mahmud said, describing the BRT initiative, which aims to build dedicated bus lanes from Dhaka Airport to Joydebpur.
He criticised the project's fragmented structure -- partly elevated, partly underground, and even with lift facilities -- calling it unfeasible and poorly suited to Bangladesh's context.
"The idea of installing lifts in public transport infrastructure is absurd, especially when residential lifts often fail. This kind of planning reflects a complete lack of understanding of our ground realities," he said. Dr Mahmud also confirmed that those involved in the project's design and feasibility studies would face investigation.
One of the major green-lit initiatives is the "Further Development of the University of Dhaka" project, which will receive Tk 28.4 billion to build new residential halls, academic buildings, and facilities like a stadium and swimming pool.
Dr Mahmud said the university's new administration has been advised to prepare a comprehensive master plan, ensuring a strategic, long-term approach to campus development.
ECNEC also directed that female students' residential facilities be prioritized, and heritage structures like SM Hall and Curzon Hall be preserved.
Other key projects approved are: Tk 17.92 billion for rehabilitating 1,500 km of railway lines in Bangladesh Railway's eastern region (July 2025 - June 2029), to enhance passenger safety and service; Tk 20 billion for a Rural Sanitation Project, aiming to improve hygiene and public health; Tk 6.51 billion for establishing 20 Fire Service and Civil Defence Stations (12 new, 8 reconstructed); Tk 1.73 billion (2nd revision) for the logistics and fleet maintenance of the Bangladesh Coast Guard; Tk 4.69 billion for road construction along the Karnaphuli River from Kalurghat Bridge to Chaktai Canal; Tk 754.5 million (1st revision) for the DSCSC Officers' Mess and BOQ at Mirpur Cantonment; Tk 1.51 billion (1st revision) for the Smart Pre-Payment Metering Project in BPDB's distribution zones; Tk 1.0 billion to strengthen research on tuber crops under agricultural innovation; Tk 128.9 million (1st revision) for expanding the Bangladesh Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation facilities; Tk 395.83 million for the Income Generating Activities (IGA) Training for Women at the upazila level (Phase 2); and revised project cost of Tk 194 million (3rd revision) for canal excavation from Bahaddarhat Baroipara to the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.
Meanwhile, a Tk 7.61 billion proposal to build permanent housing for families of students killed during last year's anti-discrimination protests has been deferred for further evaluation. Dr Mahmud said the project requires closer scrutiny before approval.
Dr Mahmud cited a report from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), which raised alarming questions over the BRT project's management. According to the report, multiple contractors abandoned the project following the change in government.
"Investigations are underway to assess whether project directors were negligent, and why contractors received full payments under the previous regime without completing the work," said the planning adviser.
He stressed the importance of accountability in planning and implementation, adding: "Future projects must be guided by local realities, not grandiose visions detached from context."
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