The Ecnec today sent back the project of shifting Bangladesh Secretariat to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar for further review in line with the original master plan of famous Architect Luis I Kahn who had designed the iconic Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Commenting on the secretariat shifting project, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said: "The prime minister has directed the authorities concerned to collect the original master plan of Luis I Kahn fearing that the replica of the plan what the country has at this moment may have deviation from the original or any other changes might have taken place over the years".

Actually, the prime minister wanted to make sure that "The master plan of the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban is not disfigured anyhow."

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the planning minister said: "Until the original document is gotten, activities of the secretariat relocation project will remain held-up."

He informed they will finalise the project immediately after getting the original copy of the master plan.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) however approved seven development projects with an outlay of Tk 2,658 crore including the establishment of a new composite brigade of Bangladesh Army to ensure the safety and security of the Padma Bridge.

The project "Establishment of 99 Composite Brigade for Safety and Security of Padma Multipurpose Bridge" will be implemented on 115 acres of land on both the sides of the mega infrastructure involving Taka 750 crore. Bangladesh Army is entrusted to implement the project by June, 2019.

The approval was given at the 10th meeting of the Ecnec in the current fiscal held in the Nec Conference room in city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Kamal said: "Of the total cost of Tk 2,658 crore, the government will provide Tk 2,153 crore from the national exchequer while the remaining Tk 504 crore would come as project assistance."

Kamal informed all the approved projects are new.

State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan was also present at the press briefing.

The Ecnec gave consent to another project "Construction of Ministers' Apartment-III" in city's Baily Road which would hold the residences of the ministers. Ministry of Housing and Public Works proposed to construct 15-storied apartment for the ministers involving Taka 113 crore.

But, the prime minister has directed to limit the construction of the apartment to six stories.

Planning Minister said: "The prime minister has also ordered to formulate a mini-master plan for Hare Road and Minto Road so that the greenery and beauty of the areas are preserved in future."

"She also said construction of high-rise apartment in the areas might destroy the beauty and greenery, as there is no multi-storied building yet," informed Kamal.

Other projects approved by the Ecnec are: Clustered Village-2nd phase (Climate Victim Rehabilitation project) with Taka 258 crore, Construction of 1064 residential flats for government employees in Dhaka's Mirpir-6 with Taka 852 crore, Construction of connecting road of Matarbari Coal fired power plant with Taka 602 crore, Development of Khulna (Rupsa)-Shrifaltala-Terokhada road with Taka 45 crore and development of Nazirhat-Maizvandar road with Taka 35 crore.

Ministers and state ministers attended the meeting while members of the planning commission and secretaries concerned were present.