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The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Sunday approved 11 development projects including a Tk 18.18 billion project to modernise and enhance the capacity of 33/11 KV substations under the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB).
The approval came from an Ecnec meeting held at the NEC Conference Room with Ecnec Chairperson and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair, reports UNB.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said the total project cost will be shared by the government (Tk 66.77 billion), project assistance (Tk 24.28 billion) and the implementing agencies’ own funds (Tk 2.57 billion).
Of the 11 projects involving an overall cost of Tk 93.62 billion, five are new, three are revised while three others received time extension without any cost escalation.
According to the Planning Commission, BREB will implement its substation modernisation project in Cumilla under Chattogram Division and in Dhaka, Gazipur, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Tangail, and Gopalganj districts under Dhaka Division by June 2029.
The Tk 18.18 billion project will be funded by Tk 4.80 billion from the government, Tk 10.81 billion from development partner KfW and Tk 2.57 billion from BREB’s own resources.
The project includes modernisation and capacity enhancement of 25 outdated outdoor rural-type 33/11 KV power substations and construction and upgradation of 625 km of power lines.
Once implemented, the project will boost BREB’s power distribution capacity by 418 MVA, reduce system loss in the project areas from 6.62 percent to 5.82 percent, and cut the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) from 332 minutes to 300 minutes.
Other projects approved at the meeting included sustainable agricultural development in Rangpur region through modern technology expansion (Tk 1.43 billion), BMRE of Carew and Co (BD) Limited (2nd revised; timeframe extended without cost increase), Establishment of Rabindra University, Bangladesh (Tk 5.19 billion), Establishment of burn and plastic surgery units at five medical college hospitals in Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Faridpur (1st revised; additional Tk 3.60 billion), and construction of flats for government employees at Azimpur Government Colony, Dhaka (Tk 7.74 billion).
The other projects are construction of two residential buildings for officials and employees of Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence (Tk 651.2 million), Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project (3rd revised; additional Tk 28.26 billion), Expansion and development of safe water supply and sanitation system in Bandarban Pourashava and three upazila sadar areas in Bandarban district (1st revised; timeframe extended without cost increase), establishment of telecommunication network at Mirsarai Economic Zone, Chattogram (Tk 619 million) and construction of mini stadiums at upazila level, 2nd phase (1st revised; Tk 28.55 billion).
Besides, the meeting was apprised of nine projects earlier approved by the Planning Adviser.