Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday rejected a proposal to buy more diesel electric multiple unit (Demu) trains, saying they are not viable for operation in the country.

She said this at the weekly meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).

Planning Secretary Muhammad Nurul Amin briefed reporters afterwards.

He said when a project proposal to purchase Demu trains to operate from Dhaka to Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park came to the fore, the PM asked the railways ministry not to procure Demu trains but to go for other options.

She said people did not get desired service from the trains, which were purchased earlier, meeting sources told The Daily Star. Many, she said, of the trains remained inoperative and there is no workshop to repair those.

Demu trains were introduced in the country in 2013. A total of 20 trains were imported from China as per a US $58.31 million deal signed in 2011. According to railway sources, at least half of the trains are inoperative.

The prime minister, however, recommended to resubmit the proposal with other viable options. She also suggested introducing a dedicated and direct train service between Dhaka and the hi-tech park at Kaliakair in Gazipur.

At yesterday’s meeting, Ecnec approved eight projects involving Tk 5,142.06 crore, said the planning secretary, reports UNB.

Of the total cost, Tk 4,129.81 crore will come from the government fund, while Tk 1,012.55 crore from foreign sources as project assistance, he said. Among the approved projects, six are new and two are revised.

Nurul Amin said the PM also issued some directives to the authorities concerned, including formulation of a “master plan” by the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority before taking any development project there.

Hasina directed the deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar to frame a separate plan so that buildings and other infrastructures cannot be developed haphazardly.

She emphasised creating more “jhau bon” (coastal forest) in areas of Cox’s Bazar to protect the tourist town from natural disasters.

Among the projects, the planning secretary said, a project involving Tk 2,606 crore will be implemented to improve important roads under various unions and upazilas of Dhaka division by June 2024.

According to planning commission officials, the local government division will implement the project in 67 upazilas out of 88 in 13 districts.

The main project operations include development of some 1001.51km of roads and 240 intersections; construction of 5,857 metres of bridges and culverts; 30km of drains and some 12,000 square metres of slope protection.

Referring to the approval of the construction of supporting infrastructures for the Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City-2 Project with Tk 344.93 crore, the PM directed the authorities concerned to incorporate sports and entertainment facilities as well as shopping mall.

The planning secretary said a project on constructing six stadiums in selected upazilas placed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports was withdrawn from the meeting since mini stadiums are being constructed at upazila levels.

The PM, however, directed the authorities concerned not to construct such upazila-level stadiums using land of schools and colleges, but rather by choosing separate places for the stadiums.

She also said these stadiums will have galleries on one side while other sides will remain open.

The four new projects approved at the meeting are: overhauling and widening of main road from Holiday Circle-Bazarghata-Larpara (bus stand) under Cox’s Bazar town with Tk 258.82 crore; establishment of telecommunication network at Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chattogram with Tk 61.90 crore; irrigation development at Pabna-Natore-Sirajganj upazilas using surface water with Tk 560.53 crore; and strengthening veterinary health services to protect public health with Tk 73.26 crore.

The two revised projects are: export competitiveness for job project (1st revised) with Tk 1,012.12 crore and CHT rural development project 2nd phase (3rd revised) with Tk 224.50 crore.