The government has launched the much-hyped Padma barrage project involving Tk 34,497.25 crore mega project to build the Padma Barrage, aiming to revive depleted river systems, curb salinity intrusion and expand irrigation across vast regions of the country.
The approval for the “Padma Barrage (1st Phase)” project came at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held at the secretariat on Wednesday with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair.
The “Padma Barrage (1st Phase)” project will be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) under the Ministry of Water Resources, with full funding from the government. The implementation period is set from July 2026 to June 2033.
Officials said the project will span 19 districts across Khulna, Dhaka, Rajshahi and Barishal divisions, focusing on restoring the flow and navigability of key rivers, including the Gorai-Madhumati, Hisna-Mathabhanga, Chandana-Barashia, Baral and Ichamati.
Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee described the project as a “national priority,” saying it would benefit nearly one-third of the population—around 70 million people.
The project aims to reduce salinity intrusion in the southwest—particularly in Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat—ensure freshwater supply to the Sundarbans, improve biodiversity and ease chronic waterlogging in areas such as Bhobodah in Jashore.
It will also enhance drainage, support groundwater recharge and help mitigate arsenic contamination.
A 2.1-kilometre barrage will be constructed on the Padma River, along with 78 spillways, 18 undersluices, fish passes, navigation locks and associated embankments.
The plan also includes extensive dredging and re-excavation works, construction of offtake structures, and development of river and drainage systems.
Two hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 113 megawatts are also included.
According to the Planning Commission, the project will help retain around 2,900 million cubic metres of water in the Padma and bring nearly 2.88 million hectares of farmland under improved irrigation in regions including Kushtia, Faridpur, Jashore, Khulna, Barishal, Pabna and Rajshahi.
The initiative is expected to contribute about 0.45 percent to GDP and generate an estimated Tk 8,000 crore in annual returns, while also creating employment and supporting planned land use and urbanisation.
The Planning Commission noted that declining dry-season flow in the Padma—linked to upstream diversion—has led to river degradation, rising salinity and adverse impacts on agriculture, fisheries and ecosystems, particularly in the southwest.
Eight other projects approved
Alongside the Padma Barrage, ECNEC approved eight other development projects at the meeting as part of a total package worth Tk 36,695.72 crore.
Of the total outlay, Tk 36,490.93 crore will come from government funds, while Tk 204.79 crore will be financed from the implementing agencies’ own resources. Among the approved projects, three are new, five are revised and one received a time extension without cost escalation.
Key approvals include two revised projects under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs—establishment of the Chattogram Muslim Institute Cultural Complex and construction of a multi-storey building for the Department of Public Libraries.
A major social sector project involving Tk 1,329.53 crore was cleared to upgrade and reconstruct existing Mother and Child Welfare Centres into 30-bed facilities in district towns under the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division.
Other approvals include an ICT Division project to develop supporting infrastructure for Hi-Tech City-2, and a revised social welfare project for construction and reconstruction of government children’s homes and Chhotomoni Nibash.
Under the Ministry of Defence, a Tk 385.13 crore project was approved to construct four barrack complexes at Savar Cantonment to address accommodation shortages for soldiers.
The ECNEC also cleared the latest revision of the Chattogram City Outer Ring Road (Patenga–Sagorika) project, and a gas pipeline project from Dhanua to Mymensingh to supply fuel to the Mymensingh Combined Cycle Power Plant.
The meeting was further informed that two smaller projects—each costing below Tk 50 crore—had earlier been approved by the Planning Minister, including infrastructure development at Mymensingh Zilla School and construction of an airmen barrack complex at Bangladesh Air Force Base Kurmitola.