Faruque Ahmed, Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), acknowledged the possibility of design flaws, low-quality materials, and insufficient technical understanding in the construction of the Dhaka Metrorail. He noted, however, that the exact cause of any accidents could only be determined after a full investigation.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday addressing the overall management and issues of the metrorail project, Faruque said, “Following last year’s incident, we conducted physical inspections and drone surveys, with the latest check just two months ago. Our top priority is safety. Design mistakes, use of substandard materials, and oversight failures by the consultancy firm may have contributed, but these can only be confirmed after the investigation.”
Faruque acknowledged the absence of a project director for Line-1, adding that four to five additional project directors will be appointed as needed. “We aim to complete the metro with smart financing and local prioritization. Conflicts of interest with investors exist, and while we were promised a 50-year warranty, I feel limited in enforcing it,” he said.
He also indicated that future designs could be revised if necessary. “We urge political parties and others placing posters on the metro pillars to stop, as such actions prevent us from identifying structural cracks. Our goal was to deliver the best metro in the world for our budget, but this is our current reality. Those responsible for irregularities will be held accountable once the government completes its investigation,” Faruque Ahmed said.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
