Orange Line recruits training to resume after Eid

After much delay on account of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Punjab government is now set to begin the training programme for Lahore’s Orange Line Metro Train after Eidul Azha.

According to sources, provincial authorities have initiated various steps towards this end, including outlining standard operating procedures to ensure the training programme does not fall victim to Covid-19.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, officials privy to developments said senior Orange Line project officers met senior transport department officials a few days ago to discuss the future of the train service.

“During this meeting, the Punjab transport secretary directed Orange Line officials to resume the training of recruits after Eidul Azha,” one official said.

Following the meeting, Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) officials were directed to prepare a comprehensive schedule for the training of recruits for each role pertaining to the train service, officials said.

Sindh CM orders completion of Orange Line in 3 months

This schedule, once outlined, is to be shared with the Punjab transport department.

Concerned officials were instructed to take several precautions while arranging the training programme, added the officials. According to them, it was agreed that the recruits would be sorted into groups that will attend separate training sessions in order to keep the risk of spreading Covid-19 low.

Recruits who report Covid-19 symptoms or test positive for the virus will be asked to spend 14 days in special isolation facilities set up in the training institute under PMTA supervision. Their training will resume once their period of social isolation ends.

According to sources, officials preparing the training programme schedule were directed to keep the total training period for all recruits not more than two months.

“This is because the government wants to be ready to make the Orange operational as soon as the health department reports a reduction in Covid-19 cases in September or October,” the official said.

According to sources, the prime minister and Punjab chief minister have been informed that once they decide to make it operational, the Orange Line can be run on a 27-kilometre track after less than a month’s notice.

“This is because the route has already been finalised and power supply arrangements are complete,” the official added. “Work that remains unfinished, such as beautification work on train stations, can be completed after the train begins operations.”

As many as 1,400 individuals have been recruited for various technical roles in running the Orange Line, officials said.

In order to train them, the provincial government has enlisted the services of both Chinese and local trainers. Train drivers will be sent to China for further training after they complete their local training. Recruit training was initiated twice before this year, but the growing spread of Covid-19 forced authorities to postpone it.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2020.