The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is expected to evaluate a fully state-funded project valued at BDT 2,082.12 crore aimed at preserving the country's rural road infrastructure while providing employment for tens of thousands of underprivileged women.

According to a project summary compiled by the Planning Commission, the proposed "Rural Road Maintenance and Employment Project" is slated for implementation by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division, with a scheduled completion date of December 2029.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, serving as the ECNEC Chairman, is scheduled to preside over the committee meeting on Wednesday to review the proposal.

Speaking to state news agency BSS, Md. Mahmudul Hossain Khan, a member of the Planning Commission's Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division, noted that LGED-administered roads previously underwent major maintenance drives in 1983 and 1984, followed by another extensive effort between 2003 and 2007.

Lacking similar large-scale maintenance initiatives since that period, officials formulated the draft project to encompass 495 upazilas spread across all 64 districts.

Describing the project as a "poor women friendly" initiative that ultimately drives female empowerment, Hossain Khan explained that the scheme targets the year-round upkeep of 91,560 kilometers of rural thoroughfares while generating jobs for 45,780 female heads of households, thereby elevating the socio-economic standing of an equivalent number of vulnerable families.

An official from the Planning Commission, speaking on the condition of anonymity, pointed out that Bangladesh's rural economy relies heavily on a robust road grid to transport agricultural and non-agricultural goods to commercial hubs.

Consequently, systematic road maintenance remains vital for ensuring continuous regional connectivity, boosting commerce, and sustaining broader economic growth in rural areas.

This upcoming initiative builds upon the foundation of prior rural infrastructure programs.

The effort originally began in 1983 as a pilot project spanning seven unions, backed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through CARE Bangladesh.

It subsequently expanded across the country with assistance from the European Union before transitioning into successive phases of the Rural Employment and Road Maintenance Programme (RERMP-1, RERMP-2, and RERMP-3).

The most recent iteration was carried out by the LGED between 2019 and 2024 using complete government funding. Following those outcomes, the Local Government Division put forward this fresh proposal to protect rural transit, ease crop and product distribution, alleviate poverty through targeted employment, and enhance overall living standards in village communities.

Under the planned scope, the LGED will handle routine upkeep across 91,560 kilometers of rural routes spanning 495 upazilas in all eight national divisions.
Target zones were chosen based on metrics such as the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI), Poverty Index, and Environmental Hazard Index, giving priority to regions that require better transit links and expanded social safety nets for women.

The Planning Commission highlighted that the initiative aligns with the government's election commitments, particularly regarding poverty alleviation, agricultural growth, widespread job creation, and establishing "last-mile" access in isolated locations.

It also aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

A feasibility study conducted by Ideal Design & Consultancy advocated for the project's execution, and its findings were integrated into the Development Project Proposal (DPP).

Although a formal financial cost-benefit analysis was omitted due to the service-driven nature of the work, the Planning Commission indicated that the proven track record of earlier RERMP schemes signals substantial socio-economic returns.

The projected annual budget allocations comprise BDT 522.89 crore for FY2026-27, BDT 519.31 crore for FY2027-28, BDT 518.65 crore for FY2028-29, and BDT 520.75 crore for FY2029-30, alongside a nominal allocation set aside for FY2025-26.

The Project Evaluation Committee (PEC), following its meeting on March 1, 2026, formally recommended the proposal for approval.

This recommendation came after adjusting the execution timeline, streamlining procurement and operational expenses, confirming adherence to public procurement regulations, formulating a post-project maintenance exit strategy, and preventing overlap with other existing development initiatives.

The Planning Commission affirmed that the project will secure reliable year-round rural road access, streamline market transport for local goods, provide employment for 45,780 disadvantaged women, and deliver a major boost to rural poverty reduction and national development.

The commission has formally recommended the BDT 2,082.12 crore, state-financed scheme for final ECNEC approval toward its December 2029 completion target.