Staff Reporter

The government has appointed Professor Dr Engineer Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan, Head of the Department of Water Resources Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), as Chairman of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Dhaka WASA) for a period of three years.

Meanwhile, a gazette notification was issued on Sunday by the Water Supply-2 Branch of the Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

The notification revealed that, the appointment has given under Section 7(1) of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025, and takes effect immediately in the public interest.

Water resources expert to lead Dhaka’s utility

Prof Khan is widely recognised as one of Bangladesh’s leading experts in water resources engineering, with nearly three decades of experience in teaching, research, consultancy and infrastructure planning.

He currently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Water Resources Engineering at BUET, where his academic work focuses on water resources management, urban water supply, flood control, climate change adaptation, hydrology, river engineering and sustainable water management.

His appointment comes at a time when Dhaka faces mounting challenges related to groundwater depletion, urban flooding, ageing water infrastructure, sewerage expansion and climate resilience.

Prof Khan graduated in Civil Engineering from BUET before completing a master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering from the same institution. He later earned both a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the United States.

Over his academic career, he has supervised numerous postgraduate researchers and published extensively in internationally recognised journals covering hydrology, flood modelling, drainage systems, climate change and integrated water resources management.

His research has appeared in publications including Springer, ASCE journals, the Journal of Water and Climate Change, SN Applied Sciences and several other peer-reviewed journals.

Beyond academia, Prof Khan has contributed to more than 50 major infrastructure and water-related projects across Bangladesh.

These include assignments related to the Padma Bridge approach road, the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive, Payra Port, drainage planning for RAJUK, Bangladesh Water Development Board projects, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) initiatives, Roads and Highways Department projects, as well as infrastructure undertaken by the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy.

He has served in different capacities, including team leader, hydrologist, water resources specialist and environmental expert.

Alongside his academic responsibilities, Prof Khan currently serves as the Honorary General Secretary of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), the country’s largest professional body for engineers.

He has also held leadership and advisory roles in several public institutions, contributing to policy discussions on engineering education, infrastructure development and water resources management.

Officials and sector experts say the new chairman will be expected to oversee improvements in Dhaka’s water supply services, accelerate sewerage network expansion, strengthen institutional efficiency and enhance the capital’s resilience to flooding and climate-related risks.

With Dhaka facing increasing pressure from rapid urbanisation, rising water demand and environmental challenges, stakeholders believe Prof Khan’s technical expertise and experience in water resources planning could play an important role in guiding the utility’s future development.

The appointment order was signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mosammat Shakila Parvin of the Local Government Division. Copies of the notification have been forwarded to the Cabinet Division, the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Finance Division, Dhaka WASA, Dhaka North City Corporation and other relevant government agencies for necessary action.