Title - Skilled staff still a problem

JAIPUR: The issue of availability of skilled manpower for operation and maintenance (O&M) during phase-I of Jaipur Metro has again resurfaced. The issue was raised in Lucknow in a meeting with the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO).One of the points in the report indicates that the O&M could be a major bottleneck in the smooth run of Jaipur Metro. Viewing the technical glitches the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has already proposed to handover the operations to them for a year. The suggestion was proposed to iron out any glitches that may occur during the operations in initial months."Since our work will continue even after June 2013, we have asked to allow us to oversee operations and maintenance the first year. The Rajasthan government and Jaipur Metro Railway Corporation (JMRC) will take a final call on this" said Lalit Meghnani, project director.The officials also feel that if O&M is handed to DMRC then possibility of friction between the two organizations post-metro will be reduced. "Jaipur Metro has not taken any stand on it but it is true that if something goes wrong a lot of blame game will happen. If DMRC takes care of it, our officials will get time to adapt to the system," said the JMRC official.However, JMRC and state government is in a mood to take the project in its own hands after completion. Earlier talking to TOI the JMRC chief managing director N C Goyal said, "We are confident of handling operation and maintenance from day one. As some day we have to take the responsibility, it's better to take it from the start." He added, "The option of DMRC assistance and expertise is always available.