The government on Tuesday okayed a Tk 289 crore project to excavate a new canal in Cittagong city in a bid to put an end to nagging water-logging in the port city. The approval came at a time when most areas of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) were flooded during last three days as the city as well as the country experienced heavy rainfall from Friday, crippling the city life. Removing water logging was also a long-cherished demand of Chittagong city dwellers as the city is prone to inundation during the rainy season in absence of a proper water discharge system. CCC will implement the 'Canal Excavation Project from Bohaddarhat Baroipara to the Karnaphuli River' project by June 2016. The project got nod at the meeting of The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by its chief Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Under the project, the existing canals of the port city will be rehabilitated alongside some new canals would be excavated for quick removal of rainwater during monsoon. Besides, some new ponds will be excavated to preserve water. Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said that some 2.9kms long and 65 metres wide canals will be excavated in Chittagong under the project having provision of 20-feet road on both sides of the canal to facilitate traffic movement alongside easy cleaning of the canal. Of the estimated project cost of Tk 289.44 crore, Tk 427.12 crore will come from the national exchequer while the rest of Tk 76.74 crore from the own fund of CCC, Planning Minister said at a post-meet press briefing. He added that the project cost later on might rise further as there will be provision for further widening of the roads on both sides of the canals. Tuesday’s ECNEC meeting gave nod to three development projects involving Tk 503.86 crore including canal excavation project for CCC, the minister informed. State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan and Planning Division Secretary Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam were also present at the briefing. "Construction of Bridge over River Kushiara on Pagla-Jagannathpur- Raniganj-Aushkandi Highway" project also saw a go ahead at a cost of Tk 126.87 crore which will entirely be borne by the government. The road communications from Dhaka and Chittagong to Sunamganj is expected to become much easier following the completion of the project by Roads and Highways Department by June 2018, the minister said. Under the project, a 702.33 metre PC girder bridge will be constructed which will reduce the distance of Sunamganj with Dhaka and Chittagong by about 50 kilometres as well as secure safe and fast communications. Kamal said the bridge will have toll system for movement of traffic and as a result, it will be a self-sustained unit. The ECNEC meeting approved another project titled "Procurement of container and cargo handling equipment" at a cost of Tk 87.56 crore, undertaken for Mongla port to enhance its cargo handling capacity as well as overall services. Mongla Port Authority under the Shipping Ministry will implement the project by June 2016. During the meeting, Prime Minister directed ministries to prepare plans for cities keeping in mind the traffic volume for the next 30 to 50 years, planning minister said. Minister's, state ministers, Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned attended the ECNEC meeting. - See more at: http://www.daily-sun.com/details_Three-projects-involving-Tk-503cr-get-Ecnec-nod_896_1_3_1_1.html#sthash.Fx1ZGrCs.dpuf