DHAKA, Sept 16, 2026 (BSS) — The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 12 projects on Tuesday with an estimated cost of Taka 1,68,780 crore, which includes three metro rail projects aimed at facilitating an environment-friendly mass transportation system in the capital.

The approvals were granted during the 3rd ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year (FY27), held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with ECNEC Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presiding.

State Minister for Planning Md. Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki and Planning Division Secretary SM Shakil Akhter briefed reporters following the meeting held at the NEC Conference Room located in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Of the total project cost, Taka 48,256.30 crore will be provided by the government of Bangladesh, while Taka 1,20,466.39 crore will come as a project loan. The remaining Taka 57.71 crore will be sourced from the concerned organization's own fund.

During the day's meeting, the government approved a new metro rail project with a cost of Tk 45,503.76 crore, while also giving positive consideration to revisions for two ongoing metro rail projects.

The government will provide Tk 15,197.66 crore for the Line-5 Southern Route, while Tk 30,306.10 crore will be sourced from loans provided by the Asian Development Bank and South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund.

The combined estimated cost of the two ongoing metro projects, both approved in 2019, has risen from Tk 93,799.97 crore to Tk 2,04,243.25 crore. This represents an increase of Tk 1,10,443.28 crore, or 117.74 per cent.

The revised figure is Tk 9,741.84 crore lower than the Tk 2,13,985.09 crore proposed by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited in August, following recommendations from a Project Evaluation Committee meeting on August 30.

The revised proposals were submitted to the Planning Commission on September 13 following a reassessment of costs associated with mainline construction, land development, buildings, electrical and mechanical systems, utility relocation, and equipment.

The cost of the 31.24-kilometre MRT Line-1, which connects the airport with Kamalapur and includes an elevated branch from Natun Bazar to Purbachal, has increased from Tk 52,561.43 crore—approved by ECNEC in 2019—to Tk 1,14,394.89 crore.

The increase amounts to Tk 61,833.46 crore, representing 117.64 per cent. Within this total, the government contribution is set to rise by 133 per cent to reach Tk 30,552.26 crore, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency loan will increase by 112.53 per cent to Tk 83,842.63 crore.

The revision attributed the increase partly to delays in design and tender preparation during the Covid pandemic, as well as the complexities involved in implementing the country's first underground metro rail.

Modifications made during the detailed design phase involved larger stations, the relocation of entrances, exits, and ventilation shafts, a three-storey station at Rajarbagh, and approximately 20 kilometres of detour roads established for traffic management during the construction period.

The cost of the 20-kilometre MRT Line-5 Northern Route, running from Hemayetpur to Bhatara, has risen by Tk 48,609.82 crore—an increase of 117.88 per cent—taking the total expense from Tk 41,238.54 crore to Tk 89,848.36 crore.

The government contribution would rise by 84.22 per cent to Tk 22,330.11 crore, while the JICA loan would increase by 131.89 per cent to Tk 67,518.24 crore.

The Hemayetpur-Amin Bazar section of the project will be elevated, while the Amin Bazar-Bhatara section will run underground through densely populated areas. Originally scheduled to be fully operational by 2028, the project is now proposed for completion by December 2032.

Among the 12 approved projects, five are under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, two under the Defence Ministry and two under the Railways Ministry. One project each falls under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

The two other approved projects under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry are: "Upgrading District Highways under Rajshahi Road Zone to Appropriate Standards and Width" with Taka 943.87 crore; "Upgrading District Highways under Chattogram Road Zone to Appropriate Standards and Width (3rd Phase)" with Taka 1,459.35 crore.

The two Defence Ministry projects are “Establishment of Barishal Cantonment, Barishal - 2nd Phase” at Taka 1,153.60 crore and “Construction of Accommodation Facilities for Naval Personnel and Other Infrastructure in Khulna Naval Area” at Taka 374.14 crore.

The two Railway Ministry approved projects are "Implementation of Electric Traction Along Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur Section of Bangladesh Railway" with Taka 3,822.51 crore and "Construction of New Dual-Gauge Railway Line from Bogura to Sirajganj (1st Revised)" with an additional cost of Taka 4,667.42 crore.

The Labour and Employment Ministry has launched a project titled "The Improved Working Condition and Social Protection for Workers in the Textile and Leather Sector," with a budget of Taka 89.25 crore.

The Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry project is "Upgradation and Expansion of Electricity Distribution System in Monpura Island Area (1st Revised)" with an additional cost of Taka 52.8183 crore.

The projects include “Land Management Automation (2nd Revised)”; “Construction of National Headquarters of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (1st Revised)”; “Establishing Green Belt at Bhasan Char and Reforestation of Rohingya Affected Areas in Cox’s Bazar (1st Revised)”; “Strengthening Research, Conservation and Development of Indigenous Chicken”; “Establishment of Telecommunication Network in Economic Zones (1st Phase) (1st Revised)”; “Replacement of Existing Bailey and Other Risky Bridges at Dilapidated, Narrow and Important Points (Rangpur Zone) (1st Revised)”; “Construction of RDA Building from 5th to 10th Floors”; “Construction of Quarter Guard and Ancillary Infrastructure for Capacity Enhancement of SI&T at Jalalabad Cantonment”; “Preparation of Digital Elevation (3D) Model of Sylhet Division for Enhancing Flood Forecasting Capacity (1st Revised)”; “Infrastructure Development of Cantonment Public School and

College, Saidpur”; “Further Infrastructure Development of Military Collegiate School, Khulna”; “Strengthening Social Protection for Improved Resilience, Inclusion and Targeting (SSPIRIT) (1st Revised)”; “Development of Barguna District Stadium and Construction of Dormitory Building”; “Further Development of Dinajpur District Stadium and Construction of Indoor Stadium”; and “Sylhet-10 Well Exploration and Drilling (2nd Revised)”.

Why it matters

The approval of major infrastructure and metro rail projects advances national economic development and urban transport capacity in Bangladesh.