The state-owned metro rail company is going very slow on recruiting people for the metro rail system although three mass rapid transit (MRT) projects are progressing well.
Sources said the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) started the recruitment process through inviting applications for 17 posts in April last.
Later, it has also invited applications for a total of 191 posts in phases, but no recruitment took place until now.
However, officials said, the company hired over 40 engineers to implement the three MRT projects.
It also has a plan to accommodate these people as company professionals, they added.
But, sources said, skills of these people would not be suitable for operation of the fastest commuter trains. People with skills in seven disciplines are required for this purpose, they added.
They also said the recruitment is being delayed as the required number of qualified candidates is not available.
Besides, the DMTCL faced problems in assigning the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) to hold recruitment exams.
It is learnt that BUET has taken a long time to announce the examination dates for the shortlisted applicants.
DMTCL Managing Director MAN Siddique said they received a large number of applications.
Japanese consultants had set recruitment qualifications, but they were redesigned through assessing the country-specific contexts, including educational system and available disciplines in all public and private universities, he said.
"Skills in seven disciplines are required to operate this integrated but complicated metro rail system through interfacing," the MD told the FE.
The DMTCL board approved a requirement of 1,914 skilled and technical hands to implement, operate and manage mass rapid transit systems (MRTs) in the city.
As the DMTCL lacks capacity to recruit right professionals, the project's Japanese financier may provide support in this regard, sources said.
They said the company sought applications for the 191 posts from candidates with high qualifications and five years of experience in MRT operation, with the expectation that Bangladeshi nationals working abroad in metro rail system may apply.
But there are hardly such applicants for the posts.
Transport experts said the recruitment of DMTCL should be completed soon to train the successful candidates before the first MRT goes into operation.
The DMTCL has target to start MRT 6 service on the 10 km route from Uttara to Agargaon by the end of this year and on the rest 10 km -- from Agargaon to Motijheel -- by 2020.
Besides, it has target to launch MRT 1 by 2026 and MRT 5 North by 2028 which are now at design stage and feasibility stage respectively.
The DMTCL will have various departments such as Rolling Stock, Signal and Telecommunication, Electrical, Permanent Way and Civil Department and Administration and Finance.
smunima@yahoo.com