The government plans to construct an underground grid sub-station in Gulshan project in a bid to ensure reliable power supply in the capital.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a project involving Taka 9.50 billion in this regard.
The approval was given at the new fiscal year’s first ECNEC meeting at the NEC Conference Room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area in Dhaka on Tuesday.
ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting, reports BSS.
Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the Japan International Cooperation Agency will provide Taka 6.28 billion for the construction of underground grid sub-station in Gulshan.
Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) Limited will implement the project by December 2023.
The planning minister said the construction of underground grid substation was earlier unthinkable in Bangladesh.
"But it is now turning into a reality due to the bold steps taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," the minister said.
He said a total of eight projects were approved today involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 64.93 billion.
“Of the total project cost, Taka 32.79 billion will come from the government exchequer, Taka 1.79 billion from the organisation’s own fund while the rest Taka 30.33 billion from project assistance,” he added.
Of the approved eight projects, seven are new while one is a revised project.
Ministers and state ministers concerned attended the meeting while Planning Commission members and secretaries were present.