The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is likely to approve a Tk 2,082.12 crore government-funded project to maintain rural roads and generate employment for thousands of poor rural women. The proposed 'Rural Road Maintenance and Employment Project' will be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division by December 2029.
Project Overview
The project aims to maintain 91,560 kilometres of rural roads across 495 upazilas in all 64 districts, ensuring year-round connectivity. It is designed to create employment for 45,780 poor women who are heads of households, thereby improving the socio-economic conditions of an equal number of disadvantaged families.
Historical Context and Objectives
The initiative builds on the success of earlier rural road maintenance programmes, which began in 1983 with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through CARE Bangladesh. The project is aligned with the government's election manifesto and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
Implementation and Funding
The project will be fully financed by the government, with annual expenditures planned at Tk 522.89 crore in FY2026-27, Tk 519.31 crore in FY2027-28, Tk 518.65 crore in FY2028-29, and Tk 520.75 crore in FY2029-30. The Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) has recommended the project for approval, highlighting its potential socio-economic benefits.
