As the political instability goes on, the government has decided to adopt policy strategies in different ministries to keep the implementation of the development programmes, including the eight fast-track projects, uninterrupted in any way.

It has also decided to launch self-assessment activities in respective ministries along with taking modifiable policy strategies to attain the goals of the ‘Sixth Five-Year Plan’.

To enhance efficiency in implementing the government programmes, an initiative has also been taken to form ‘National Skill Development Council’ and take long-term big projects for improving efficiency.

According to an official document, the implementation of big projects will increase the infrastructural facilities for keeping the wheel of the economy moving, encourage private investment and help increase the gross national income (GNI).

Currently, there are eight huge government infrastructural projects which have been included in the government’s privileged ‘Fast Track’.

The eight Fast Track projects are Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Rampal Power Plant, Deep Sea Port, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Metro Rail), LNG Floating Storage and Regasification Unit Project, Matarbari 1200 MW Power Plant and Paira Port Project. The total costs of the project are estimated at US$ 15.5 billion.

The Fast Track Project Monitoring Committee held its third meeting on 7 January where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed all concerned to properly perform their respective duties and complete the projects within the stipulated time.

Besides, 10 other big projects are being monitored from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

These 10 projects are protection of the Buriganga River, construction of Dhaka-Chittagong elevated expressway, construction of road, rail and water ways surrounding Dhaka city, construction of Hi-tech park, Bangabandhu Satellite, tannery relocation, setting up garment village, setting up pharmaceuticals park, easing traffic in Dhaka city and protection of the Sundarbans.

The government has decided to strengthen efforts to implement the Sixth Five-Year Plan while formulating various policies in ministries and departments alongside taking decisions economic issues, projects and programmes of the ministries.

On 25 February, the Prime Minister, while responding to a question in Parliament during her question-answer session, said the ongoing destructive activities unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat alliance have so far caused a loss of over Tk 1.20 lakh crore to the country in the last 52 days of blockade and hartal programmes.

The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been continuing its countrywide blockade since 6 January while started enforcing hartals every week since 2 February.