ECNEC approves Patuakhali naval base,15 other projects

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 16 projects, including establishment of a naval base in Patuakhali, to ensure security for Payra Port in Kalapara.

The ECNEC approved the projects, involving Taka 5,221 crore, at its 13th meeting of the current fiscal year with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the NEC conference room in city`s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area on Tuesday.

After the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal informed this. He said, A total of 16 projects were approved at the meeting with an overall estimated cost of Taka 5,220.83 crore.

The Planning Minister said, of the projects, a project titled ``Establishment of BNS Sher-e-Bangla Patuakhali` with an estimated cost of Taka 1,081.50 crore was taken in a bid to turn Bangladesh Navy into an international standard naval force in line with the Forces Goal 2030.
He said the BNS Sher-e-Bangla Patuakhali would be set up at Lalua adjacent to Payra port under Kolapara upazila in Patuakhali with the entire project cost will come from the GoB portion.

"Of the total project cost, Taka 4,744.12 crore will come from the GoB portion, Taka 13.83 crore from the organisation`s own fund while the rest of Taka 462.88 crore from project assistance, " the Planning Minister added.

The Ministry of Defence, Bangladesh Navy and the Engineer in Chief Section of Dhaka Cantonment will implement the naval base project from June 2018 to June 2021.

Of the approved projects, 15 are new while another one is a revised project.

DailyBangladesh/Nishi