Bangladesh’s Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved a project to improve security along the border with Myanmar in Cox’s Bazar and prevent intrusion from Myanmar.
The project titled ‘Rehabilitation of Polders along Naf at Ukhia and Teknaf sub-districts for improving security on Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar’ will be implemented at an estimated cost of 1,416.5m taka by
June 2020.
The approval came from the regular meeting, held at the NEC Conference Room, with Ecnec chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister Mustafa Kamal said the entire cost of the project will come from the national exchequer.
He said controlling flood and improving water extraction system in the project area are also the main goals of the project.
The minister said there are a 47.60km flood control dam and 46 water extraction infrastructures under polders 67/A, 67, 67/B and 68 built by the Bangladesh water development board along the right bank of the Naf river.
The flood control dam and water extraction infrastructures were damaged by natural disasters, including cyclone, flood and excessive rain, in 1991, 2007, 2008
and 2010.
“Border Guard Bangladesh has been using the flood control embankment to resist the influx of Rohingya. It has become difficult for BGB members to continue their border patrolling works as the dam remain damaged,” he said.
The project was taken following the proposal of a technical committee formed in this regard by the Bangladesh water development board formed in 2015, he added.
BANGLA
