ECNEC approves 8 projects involving Tk4,826.21cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved a Coastal Towns Climate Resilience Project (CTCRP) worth Tk 2,580 crore to strengthen climate and disaster resilience in 22 coastal towns or municipalities in Bangladesh.

The approval came from a meeting of the ECNEC held with its Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said a total of eight projects were approved, involving an overall estimated cost of Tk 4,826.21 crore.

“Of the total project cost, Tk 2,341.02 crore will come from the government of Bangladesh, Tk 278.19 crore from the concerned organisation’s fund while the rest of Tk 2,207 crore as project assistance.”

State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam, Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned were present at the briefing.

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division will implement the CTCRP by June 2029.

This project will improve climate and disaster resilience in 22 coastal towns by enhancing municipal infrastructure and services that are critical for resilience building, strengthening adaptive capacities and raising awareness.

The project will also develop infrastructure for building climate resilience in coastal towns including infrastructure to improve urban flood risk management such as storm water drainage, nature-based solutions, water body restoration and integrated waste management.

Besides, cyclone shelters with early warning systems will be established, taking into account the needs of the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities. Bridges, culverts and roads with storm water drainage will be constructed and rehabilitated.

Officials said a comprehensive set of interventions in six project towns will be implemented to help vulnerable households, especially poor women, cope with climate shocks and develop livelihood resilience. These include climate risk assessment for diversifying livelihoods, household skills and resources mapping, enterprise and employment matching and provision of livelihood training.