Expat Eng Faruque named as DMTCL MD

Staff Reporter:

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has appointed Faruque Ahmed, a Bangladeshi expatriate engineer with decades of international experience in metro and rail projects, as its new managing director — the first chosen through an open, competitive process.

A six-member selection committee headed by the BUET vice-chancellor recommended Faruque after interviewing four shortlisted finalists from among 76 applicants, three of whom were expatriates. He was selected by a narrow margin and has been asked to join on February 19.
Faruque is currently working with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation India–Systra France joint venture. His appointment marks a turning point for DMTCL, which previously appointed managing directors from the government’s cadre services. The post has been vacant since September 9, when the previous MD’s appointment was cancelled following allegations of holding the post illegally for seven years after retirement.

Officials said the decision reflects a shift toward merit-based leadership in the country’s most ambitious urban transport project. “Mr. Faruque’s technical expertise and global exposure made him the clear choice,” said a senior official involved in the selection process.

A graduate of CUET (1982), Faruque earned a Master of Engineering Science from the University of New South Wales, an MBA from Australia, and a PhD in Quality Engineering from the University of Macau. Over 37 years, he has worked on major metro, rail, and transport infrastructure projects worldwide, holding senior positions at AECOM, Egis France, and WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff. He also contributed to Hong Kong’s West Rail Phase 1 project for more than seven years.

His appointment comes as DMTCL expands its network with the ongoing MRT-6, MRT-1, and MRT-5 projects. Officials expect him to focus on project coordination, operational efficiency, and institutional reform.

“Metro systems demand not just engineering skills but efficient, modern management,” said a former DMTCL consultant. “Faruque’s global experience could help transform Dhaka’s metro operations.”