Staff Correspondent 

The interim government has approved a second revision of the ‘Upazila Complex Expansion Project (2nd Phase),”raising its cost by Tk 483 crore to Tk 2,549 crore as part of efforts to expand administrative and residential infrastructure in upazilas.

Initially launched in October 2017, the project was approved at a cost of Tk 2,018 crore with a completion deadline of June 2022.

The first revision raised the cost slightly to Tk 2,066 crore and extended the deadline to June 2025. Now, under the second revision, the deadline has been extended further to June 2027, according to an official document.

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The project covers 253 upazilas in 63 districts under 8 divisions.

Its main components include construction of administrative and residential buildings, halls, and installation of lifts.

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is implementing it with full government funding (GoB).

Key reasons for the latest revision include the addition of 49 six-storey buildings (with eight-storey foundations), the incorporation of elevators, inclusion of three newly formed upazilas—Dasar (Madaripur), Madhyanagar (Sunamganj), and Eidgaon (Cox’s Bazar)—and adjustments in construction costs following changes in the rate schedule, according to the official document.

The expansion is expected to improve service delivery by consolidating various government offices into a single complex at each upazila.

It also aims to boost morale among officials by providing improved residential facilities, which officials believe will enhance efficiency and accountability.

As of April 2025, the project had achieved 59.66% financial progress and 61% physical progress, with Tk 1,232.66 crore already spent.

In the last fiscal year, it received Tk 199.90 crore under the Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP).

The Planning Commission endorsed the second revision during a PEC meeting on March 20, 2025, and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) gave final approval in its latest meeting.