The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a project worth Tk 1,092.35 crore to widen the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road, aimed at boosting the local tourism industry and improving the socio-economic conditions of the area. The approval came during a meeting today, where a total of 10 projects with an overall cost of Tk 2,216.75 crore were also greenlit.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who attended virtually from her official residence, Ganobhaban. Other participants included ministers, state ministers, planning commission members, and secretaries from various departments who gathered at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
Table of Contents
Breakdown of the Approved Projects
According to Planning Minister MA Mannan, of the total cost of Tk 2,216.75 crore, Tk 1,875.57 crore will be sourced from the government’s budget, while Tk 341.18 crore will come as project assistance. The projects include both new initiatives and revisions of existing ones. A total of six new projects and four revised projects were approved.
Key Features of the Marine Drive Road Project
The Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road Widening Project will involve the expansion of the 30-kilometre stretch from 1.60 km to 32 km, improving safety and access. It will also include the upgrading of a 305-metre, two-lane bridge over Reju Khal. This initiative is expected to support the region’s growing tourism sector and contribute to the socio-economic uplift of local communities. Key operations for the project include:
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Land Acquisition | 113.25 acres |
| Earth Filing | 7.24 lakh cubic metres |
| CCTV Installation | 608 cameras |
| Road Adjustment | Straightening of a 0.32 km bend in flexible pavement |
The project is set to be implemented from July 2022 to June 2025.
Prime Minister’s Directives
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasised several infrastructure priorities. She directed the construction of elevated roads, bridges, and culverts in flood-prone areas, particularly in Sylhet, where flood damage has been recurrent. The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for special rehabilitation projects for flood victims in the Sylhet region and urged authorities to identify locations where underpasses and overpasses are required to improve traffic management.
Additional Approved Projects
In addition to the Marine Drive Road expansion, several other significant projects received approval:
Sustainable Agriculture Extension in Jashore – Tk 171.33 crore
Railway Overpass at Railbazar (Kushtia-Meherpur) – Tk 75.11 crore
PC Girder Bridges and RCC Box Culverts on the Chakhali-Tushkhali Highway (Pirojpur) – Tk 332.91 crore
Physical Infrastructure for Military Engineering Services (Dhaka Cantonment) – Tk 98.50 crore
Further, revisions were made to several ongoing projects, including:
Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Road (N-1) Development – Tk 91.96 crore additional cost
Emergency Assistance in Water Supply & Sanitation (Ukhia and Teknaf) – Tk 306.68 crore additional cost
Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Bhaban Construction (Phase 1) – Tk 204.26 crore (reduced from the previously estimated Tk 2,464.60 crore)
Spices Development Project
Another significant project approved relates to the expansion of improved varieties and technologies for spice cultivation, with an investment of Tk 119.50 crore. This project aims to meet the growing domestic and international demand for spices, thereby reducing dependency on imports. Bangladesh currently produces seven types of spices, but 50 types are consumed domestically. The initiative will support the development of spice production across 110 upazilas and 25 horticulture centres.