83,000 applicants to appear for LMRC exam on March 16-17

LUCKNOW: With first metro rail service expected to roll out early 2017, the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) would be holding a recruitment process for hiring 300 staff for maintenance and managing its operations. More than 83,000 candidates would be appearing for an online exam to be held on March 16 and 17 in 12 cities across the state, according to an LMRC official.

“Of the 300 total vacancies, 97 posts are for train operators and drivers and 26 for customer relations assistants,” said the official. In metro rail parlance, train drivers are referred to as station controller cum train operators (SCTO). The state government has reserved 19 out of the total 97 post for train operators for women. “Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which presently has around 60 female train operators, started out with just two female train drivers in 2002,” said the official.

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, he said, has given instructions to give good representation to the fair sex and youngsters in the age group of 18-28 years while hiring the staff. “The central government has norms prescribing minimum job quota for women. We may go a step further than what the guidelines stipulate,” said the official adding that 46 positions had so far been reserved for women.

He said the appointments were presently being done for managing the operations and service for the 1.7 kilometre Phase 1A of the priority section from CCS Airport to Charbagh Railway Station and more recruitment would take place with the expansion of service. Before being allowed to sit behind the wheel, train operators/drivers would be made to undergo mandatory psycho aptitude test conducted by the RDSO to check their reflexes and behaviour in a crisis situation. Selected candidates then undergo six to eight months training during which they are put through stimulators before given actual control of the trains.

“Each metro rail system has its own specific module for operations and maintenance. We are devising our own training module in consultation with the experts and the existing metro rail services in other cities,” said an LMRC official. He said 43 experienced professionals would be selected directly through interviews and for remaining the LMRC was in discussion with other metro corporations to finalise a specific work-training module for its staff.