Dhaka, May 13 -- 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 f...