News Flash
DHAKA, Aug 17, 2025 (BSS)- Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved a Taka 1,818 crore project for modernization of the BREB.
The project aimed at modernization and capacity enhancement of 33/11 KV existing outdoor substations of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) in industry-prone areas in the country.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting held at NEC Conference Room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said that the day’s ECNEC meeting approved a total of 11 projects involving Taka 9,361.92 crore.
Out of the total project cost, Taka 6,677 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh (GOB), Taka 2,428.04 crore from project assistance while the rest of Taka 256.89 crore from the concerned organization’s fund.
Of the approved 11 projects, five are new projects; three are revised while three witnessed extension of timeframe without increasing any cost.
Planning Commission officials said that the BREB project will be implemented by Power Division by June 2029. Around Taka 479.98 crore of the project will come from the GOB fund, Taka 1,080.67 crore from German development bank KfW as support while the rest of Taka 257.35 crore from the concerned organization’s own fund.
The project will be implemented in Cumilla under Chattogram Division and Dhaka, Gazipur, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Tangail districts under Dhaka Division.
The main project operations include modernization and capacity enhancement of 25 existing old outdoor rural type 33/11 KV power substations, construction and upgradation of 625 kilometer power lines.
Once the project is implemented, the power distribution system capacity of BREB would be extended up to 418 MVA for which the system loss in the project areas would be reduced from 6.62 percent to 5.82 percent while the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) would be reduced to 300 minutes from 332 minutes.
Regarding the ADP implementation rate in July which is below one percent, the Planning Adviser said the ADP implementation rate in the last fiscal was below from the target level due to various acceptable reasons.
“This is not a good sign and it needs to be improved. Even, this is below compared to the last year," the adviser said adding that “It was supposed to be accelerated this year.”
The Adviser mentioned that the contractors, and the project directors, who are usually the government officials, have been transferred willingly or any other reasons.
“New contractors are yet to be appointed.., So I think many projects are yet to get momentum,” he explained.
But, Dr Mahmud said that his expectation was normal or quicker than the normal pace of the ADP implementation this year.
“Specially, we have lowered the size of the ADP willingly to make it realistic from the aspect of its size, so our target is to implement it properly,” he said.
The adviser also mentioned that all ministries and divisions will be given directives to expedite their projects.
“There will be no excuse for this purpose, the projects have to be going on with their normal pace,” he added.
He said that generally the government revises the ADP in March-April, but this year it will be done by December-January.
The other projects approved in the ECNEC meeting are: Sustainable agricultural development in Rangpur Region through modern technology expansion with around Taka 143 crore, BMRE of Carew and Co (BD) Limited, 2nd revised, extension of timeframe without raising cost, Establishment of Rabindra University, Bangladesh with Taka 519.15 crore, Establishment of Burn and Plastic Surgery Units at 5 Medical College Hospitals (Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Faridpur)” (1st revised project) with an additional cost of Taka 360.11 crore, Construction of residential flats for government employees at Azimpur Government Colony, Dhaka with Taka 774.59 crore, Construction of two residential buildings for officials and employees of the Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defense with around Taka 65.12 crore, Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project, 3rd revised, with an additional cost of Taka 2,826.55 crore, Expansion and development of safe water supply and sanitation system in Bandarban Pourashava and three Upazila sadar in Bandarban District and adjacent areas, 1st revised, extension of timeframe without increasing cost, Establishment of telecommunication network at Mirsharai Economic Zone, Chattogram with around Taka 61.90 crore and Construction of mini stadiums at upazila level, 2nd phase, 1st revised with Taka 2,855.42 crore.
