Staff Correspondent

The government has approved two major development projects involving an estimated cost of around Tk 6,500 crore to improve rural connectivity and develop social institutions across the country.

The projects are the Priority-based Important Rural Infrastructure Development Project-3 (IRIDP-3) and the Social Infrastructure Development Project (SIDP). 

According to the Development Project Proposals (DPPs), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) would implement the IRIDP by June 30, 2029 and SIDP by June 30, 2030.

Both projects were approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on November 4.

Under the IRIDP-3 project, the government has allocated additional Tk 3,951.3786 crore under the third revision of the IRIDP to improve rural road network and related infrastructure in all districts and upazilas, excluding city corporation areas.

With the increased amount allocated under the third revision, the total cost of the project stood at Tk 10,477.92 crore from the previous allocation of Tk 6,526.55 crore. 

The project includes upgrading 157.25 kilometres of upazila roads, 833.90 kilometres of union roads and 7,984.60 kilometres of rural roads, alongside maintenance of 896.16 kilometres of rural roads.

It also includes construction of 12,074.14 metres of infrastructure on rural roads, development of 80 hat-bazars and tree plantation along 3,000 kilometres of roads.

A total of 10,595 schemes have been incorporated into the revised Development Project Proposal (DPP), while 700,000 trees will be planted under the project.

According to the project brief, the revision was undertaken based on the demands of elected lawmakers of the 13th National Parliament, with a view to completing unfinished road connectivity and implementing schemes of public importance.

Under the revised DPP, allocations have been made for schemes worth at least Tk 10 crore in each parliamentary constituency, with lawmakers providing recommendations on priority projects.

The second project, SIDP, has an estimated cost of Tk 2,565.59 crore and will be implemented across the country, including city corporation areas.

The project will focus on developing religious institutions and facilities, including mosques, temples, Eidgahs, graveyards, pagodas, gurdwaras, cremation grounds and churches.
A total of 53,000 schemes have been incorporated into its DPP. 

However, clubs, educational institutions, madrasas, orphanages and playgrounds have been excluded from the project.

According to the project brief, SIDP is aligned with the 2026 election manifesto, particularly its commitments to creating short-term employment, eradicating poverty and ensuring peace and social harmony at the local level to build a responsible and progressive society.
The project allocation has been determined at Tk 30 lakh for each union, Tk 30 lakh for each municipality and Tk 30 lakh for each ward of city corporations, based on parliamentary constituencies.

Following ECNEC approval, expenditure under the project can be prioritised on the basis of recommendations made by members of parliament through demi-official (DO) letters.
Together, the two projects are expected to strengthen rural connectivity, expand access to essential services and improve religious and community infrastructure throughout the country.