DMTCL gets new MD

Engineer Faruque Ahmed has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), becoming the first MD from outside the administration cadre.

He took over his new role on February 19.

The appointment followed an international notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport, prioritizing experts with engineering degrees and global experience.

Faruque Ahmed was selected from 76 applicants by a six-member committee led by BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor ABM Badruzzaman.

Ahmed brings extensive experience in metro rail projects from countries including Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Hong Kong. He was also involved in the opening of Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro stations, which were damaged during the student uprising.

Earlier, the Awami League government altered the qualification criteria for the MD of DMTCL, making "former secretary of the communication sector" mandatory. This led to M A N Siddique, the then Road Transport Secretary, being appointed as MD in October 2016, serving until last September. Following the interim government's takeover, Siddique’s contractual appointment was cancelled, and Additional Secretary Abdur Rauf was assigned the role temporarily, with a notification issued for a permanent appointment.