Prioritise hiring consultants with local expertise

A parliamentary body yesterday recommended discouraging foreign companies or individuals to be hired as consultants for various rail projects, and encouraging selection of qualified companies or individuals with domestic experience.

The parliamentary standing committee on railways ministry came up with the recommendation at its meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Awami League MP and chairman of the parliamentary watchdog ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury presided over the meeting.

Committee members and Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, Md Shafiqul Azam Khan, Gazi Mohammad Shah Nawaz and Nadira Yasmin Jolly, among others, attended the meeting.

Different issues including action taken against lease-holder for violating the condition of parking in front of Chattogram Railway Station and recovering of illegally occupied railways lands in Natore were discussed.

The meeting also recommended transport of passengers in compliance with health rules.

The meeting discussed the implementation progress of ongoing projects of Bangladesh Railway and the reasons for increase of expenditure and time.

The committee emphasised on strengthening procurement management, including appointment of skilled project directors, so as not to increase time and cost of projects.

The meeting also discussed the progress of the proposed projects of Bangladesh Railway.