Dhaka: The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project involving Taka 2,040 crore aiming to ease the notorious traffic congestion.

The approval was given at an ECNEC meeting held at NEC conference room in city's Sher-e-Banglanagar with Prime Minister and ECNEC chairperson Sheikh Hasina in the chair. Under the project, specialized articulated bus service will be operated on the 20km route from Gazipur to Shahjalal international airport, reports BSS.

"The project will ease the traffic congestion on the roads between Gazipur and Airport through Tongi and Uttara," Planning Secretary (In-charge) Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam said while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Besides, it will establish a cost efficient, secure and environment-friendly mass transportation service, he added.

Apart from the BRT project, the ECNEC approved another seven development projects. The eight development projects will require a total cost of Taka 3,020 crore. "Of the total project cost, Taka 1,369 crore will come from the national exchequer while the remaining Taka 1,651 crore will be available from project assistance," Islam said.

The 4-year "Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport-BRT" Project includes the construction of 20 km Bus Rapid Transit line, 31 stations, a BRT depot, 7 flyovers and construction of Tongi Bridge.

Besides, 50 articulated 60-feet buses would be procured under the project.

The BRT is designed to provide a high quality and affordable transport system in the city for faster and more efficient service than the ordinary buses.

The planning secretary said initially, 50 articulated 60-feet long buses will ply two dedicated lanes in the middle of the existing road from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The second phase of the project intends to commission identical buses which will run from the Airport to Sadarghat.

The Roads and Highways Department, Local Government Division and Bangladesh Bridge Authority will jointly implement the project by December 2016.

The ECNEC approved another project with a revision under which Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) would be modernized and its existing facilities would be expanded to convert the Country's lone medical university into a centre of excellence. The project cost stands at Taka 5,26 crore.

The other projects approved in the meeting are: Stipend program for the trainees of the institutes of marine technology and technical training centers project (taka 48 crore-GoB); Fodder research and development project (Taka 28 crore-GoB); Strengthening the facilities of training, research and action research through infrastructure development of Rural Development Academy, Bogra (Taka 30 crore-GoB); Thorough renewal of worn out rail and allied works in Chinkeaastana-Ashuganj section of Bangladesh railway (taka 236 crore-GoB); Construction of one ro-ro ferry and one ro-ro pontoon for operation in Chandpur-Shariatpur ferry route (Taka 71 crore-GoB) and Development of Haluaghat-Munshirhat-Dhobaura road project (Taka 41 crore-GoB).

Ministers, Advisers to the Prime Minister, Members of the Planning Commission, Secretaries and officials concerned were present in the meeting.

Ends/AMA/20/11/12