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Published : 13 May 2026, 04:12 PM
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the Tk 345 billion Padma Barrage project during its third meeting since the BNP took office.
The decision was taken during a session presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Wednesday, the Ministry of Planning said.
The mega project marks the start of the government’s large-scale infrastructure initiatives aimed at managing water scarcity during the dry season and improving environmental conditions in the southwest.
It is scheduled for implementation between July 2026 and June 2033 with an estimated cost of Tk 344.97 billion.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board will oversee the project, which will be entirely funded by the state.
On May 6, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said the technical study and feasibility survey for the Padma Barrage were nearly complete.
After a meeting with Tarique that day, he told reporters that a decision on the project would come soon.
The Padma Barrage is a critical project designed to protect the agriculture, environment, and economy of the southwest while addressing water shortages during the dry months.
Its primary objective is to counter the impact of India's Farakka Barrage, which causes water scarcity, desertification, and increased salinity in Bangladesh.
According to the proposal, the barrage will be constructed across the Padma River at the Pangsha point in the Rajbari District to store water.
This water will then be distributed to agricultural land via canals.
The project is also expected to maintain river navigability, control salinity, and boost fisheries.
The proposed Development Project Proposal (DPP) fixed the estimated cost at Tk 344.97 billion, though the project had not moved into the implementation stage until now.
The scheme has faced lengthy discussions over its environmental impact and transboundary river management, particularly water-sharing issues with India
Other Approved Projects
The ECNEC meeting approved eight other projects, including two new schemes, five revisions, and one duration extension.
These are:
• Ministry of Cultural Affairs: Establishment of Chattogram Muslim Institute Cultural Complex (2nd revision)
• Same ministry: Construction of multi-storey building for Department of Public Libraries (2nd revision)
• Medical Education and Family Welfare Division: Upgrading and reconstruction of maternal and child welfare centres into 30-bed facilities (Phase 1)
• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: Construction of supporting infrastructure for Hi-Tech City-2 (3rd revision)
• Ministry of Social Welfare: Construction and reconstruction of government child homes and small child residences (2nd revision)
• Ministry of Defence: Construction of 4xSM Barrack Complex at Savar Cantonment to address soldiers’ housing needs
• Ministry of Housing and Public Works: Chattogram City Outer Ring Road (Patenga to Sagorika) [5th Revision]
• Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources: Construction of gas pipeline from Dhanua to Mymensingh to supply gas to Mymensingh Combined Cycle Power Plant (1st Revision)
The planning ministry also briefed the ECNEC about two previously approved low-cost projects worth under Tk 500 million.
They are the Mymensingh Zilla School infrastructure development project and the Air Force Barrack Complex construction at Kurmitola.
