Dhaka: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at a meeting today approved two similar projects to extend power distribution lines in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions to give some 4.15 lakh new power connections involving Taka 2,215.17 crore. ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting held in the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area, reports the UNB. Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said that a total of nine projects were approved today involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 16,433.27 crore. ‘Of the total project cost, Taka 13,620.27 crore will come from the GoB portion, Taka 285.61 crore from the organization’s own fund while the rest of Taka 2,527.39 crore from project assistance,’ he said. Of the approved nine projects, five schemes are new while four others are revised ones. The planning minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the meeting asked the Ministry of Land to frame a national policy for optimum utilisation of land for various purposes like building industries and agricultural uses across the country. The prime minister asked the Ministry of Land to come up with a detailed plan in this regard, he added. The premier asked the Ministry of Railways to frame a plan to transform all the existing meter gauge railway tracks in the country into broad gauge in future. She underscored the need for strengthening the capacity of Bangladesh Railway through ensuring BMRE of the existing workshops so that these could continue maintenance works extensively and manufacture Railway spare parts instead of importing those from abroad. The prime minister also stressed the need for developing an integrated communication system across the country comprising the roads, railways and waterways. She also reiterated her stance to incorporate Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) in every future development projects where infrastructure works are associated for ensuring waste management.