Africa-Press – Mauritius. The official launch of operations of the Metro Express’ line from Rose Hill to Réduit covering an itinerary of 3,4 kilometres was marked, this afternoon, with an inaugural trip effected by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, and eminent dignitaires, on board a dedicated Light Rail vehicle from Rose Hill Central Station to Réduit Mahatma Gandhi Station.
In Réduit, the Prime Minister proceeded with the inauguration of the Mahatma Gandhi Station, in the context of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mauritius and India.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by the different dignitaries, thereafter proceeded to the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI), in Moka, where he participated in a function organised as part of the official launching ceremony of the Rose Hill-Réduit Metro Express‘ line.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo; the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo; other Ministers and Members of Parliament; the Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, Mrs K.
Nandini Singla; the Chief Executive Officer of Metro Express Limited, Dr Das Mootanah; and other eminent personalities were present during the events.
In his address, at the MGI, Prime Minister Jugnauth highlighted that Government’s vision for a modern and inclusive Mauritius is taking shape through, among others, the Metro Express project, despite the various challenges the Nation has been facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic setbacks.
He underlined that this is the largest railway project implemented outside India with Indian financial assistance and expertise. On that score, he conveyed gratitude to the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and the Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, for the support given to Mauritius in the implementation of the Metro Express project.
Prime Minister Jugnauth, moreover, stated that a fourth phase of the Metro Express project covering some 10,5 kilometres will be implemented from Réduit to Côte d’Or through St Pierre, and funding for this phase has already been granted from the Indian Government.
He recalled that, in recent years, in addition to the Metro Express project, the Indian Government has provided finance for, amongst others, the New Supreme Court, the New ENT Hospital, the Civil Service College, the New Forensic Science Laboratory and a large number of social housing units.
The Prime Minister further remarked that the Mauritian population has enthusiastically embraced this new phase of the country’s economic development. He stated that nearly 55,000 commuters use the Metro Express which is a modern, efficient and environment friendly mode of transport on a daily basis.
With the commercial operations of the Rose Hill – Réduit line of 3,4 kilometres as from 23 January 2023, an additional wave of commuters will benefit from the Metro Express service, he pointed out.
Mr Jugnauth observed that, as social justice and inclusion is one of Government’s priority, a master plan is being budgeted so as to extend the Metro Express project countrywide to both urban and rural areas.
He also stated that, in the future, the Metro Express will be powered mainly by renewable and clean energy sources, and will benefit the country both from an environmental and a macroeconomic perspective. He commended all the stakeholders who have made this project a reality in record time.
Speaking about the Mahatma Gandhi station, Prime Minister Jugnauth underscored that it bears testimony to the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in the emancipation of masses in Mauritius and India through education.
As for Minister Ganoo, he indicated that the project is an exceptional one as it is regenerating the transport sector and has upscaled the public transport system in Mauritius.
The project, he stressed, bears testimony of the friendship between Mauritius and India. He also commended the Indian Government for all the support extended to Mauritius in the implementation of the Metro Express project.
According to him, the project is in line with Government’s vision to decarbonise the local public transport system. The Indian High Commissioner, for her part, commended all stakeholders involved in the Metro Express project.
She recalled that this is one of the few projects in the world where milestones have been achieved ahead of schedule. India, she stressed, feels proud to partner with the Mauritian Government for the implementation of this sustainable project which is a vehicle for Mauritius’s economic growth and development.
High Commissioner Singla also announced that India is honoured to continue its partnership with Mauritius by providing a line of credit of USD 300 million and a grant of USD 25 million so as to extend the Metro Express from Réduit to Côte d’Or.
This new phase, she added, will further transform not only the Mauritian landscape but also the lives of Mauritians. She also read Prime Minister’s Modi message for the occasion, where the latter underlined that the phase three of the Metro Express project (Rose Hill-Réduit line) will further enhance the quality of life of Mauritian citizens.
The project, according to Shri Modi, exemplifies the spirit of progress through cooperation for the welfare of Mauritians. He commended the Mauritian Government for having named one metro station after Mahatma Gandhi and expressed confidence that Mauritius and India will continue to march together in the future.
On another note, he invited Prime Minister Jugnauth, to attend as a special guest, the G20 Summit later this year. As for Dr Mootanah, he remarked that the Metro Express project is the largest infrastructure project which has been undertaken in Mauritius during recent years.
He commended the Indian Government and other stakeholders for their constant support in the implementation of this project and added that, to date, a total of 14 million commuters have used the Metro Express.
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