IV. BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT OUR POPULATION DESERVES AND THAT OUR TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY REQUIRES
116. I now come to the fourth pathway which is about the infrastructure that our population deserves and that our transformative journey requires.
117. Our aim is to create the physical infrastructure that measures up to our vision of the future – a future of modernity, high income and smart living.
118. I am earmarking some Rs 37 billion that will be invested in transport infrastructure over the next three years.
119. Our historic programme for modernising our land transport system is moving forward as planned.
120. Phase 1 of the Metro Express project linking Port Louis to
Rose Hill will be operational in September 2019. An additional 13 kilometers linking Rose Hill to Curepipe will be operational by September 2021.
121. For seamless transfers between the two modes of transport, we need to modernise the bus terminals. The construction of the Victoria Urban Terminal project is expected to start in February 2019. And, Government is working with the Local Authorities to construct two additional urban terminals at Immigration Square and Rose Hill.
122. Besides the investment being made in the Metro Express, Government is earmarking Rs 12 billion over the next three years for the construction and upgrading of roads.
123. Ten major projects are either in progress or will be implemented under the Road Decongestion Programme. These include:
a. The Jumbo-Phoenix roundabouts;
b. The A1M1 bridge linking Coromandel to Sorèze;
c. The fly-over at Decaen Street, Port Louis;
d. A third lane on the M2 between Jin Fei roundabout and Port Louis;
e. The Cap Malheureux bypass;
f. The motorway Terre Rouge-Verdun will be made fully operational by December 2019;
g. A fly-over across Motorway M1 at Hillcrest Avenue in Quatre Bornes;
h. The upgrading of Radier St Martin at Bel Ombre;
i. And the procurement process has been launched for the upgrading of Ebène Flyover as well as for the construction of the La Vigie - La Brasserie Link Road.
124. Our plan to transform our port into a regional hub is also progressing at a rapid pace.
125. Going forward, some Rs 3 billion will be invested in three major projects to expand our port facilities and improve its productivity, namely the construction of breakwaters, a fishing port at Fort William and the Cruise Terminal Building.
126. To enhance productivity, the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd will recruit and train 150 more staff to be able to operate on a 24/7 basis.
127. As regards air transport, the Airport of Mauritius Limited (AML) will initiate procedures for the extension of the new passenger terminal. The aim is to ultimately increase passenger handling capacity to 8 million annually.
128. The old passenger terminal which is being refurbished will be completed in December this year and will cater for an additional 500,000 passengers annually.
Creating New Urban Space
129. Madam Speaker, last year, I announced the Côte D’Or City project at Highlands as part of our plan to create new and modern urban spaces.
130. A masterplan has already been prepared for developing the
Côte d’Or City on 920 hectares of land belonging to Landscope (Mauritius) Ltd.
131. To regenerate and revitalise the central areas of our city, towns and large villages, we will be introducing a National Regeneration Scheme under the Smart City Regulations.
Investing to upgrade infrastructure across Mauritius
132. As we develop new urban space, we will also support some 1,178 new NDU projects with a project value of Rs 5.6 billion across Mauritius. In this Budget, I am earmarking some
Rs 1.2 billion for the NDU projects for, amongst others, construction and upgrading of drains, secondary roads and small sports facilities across the island.
133. I am providing another Rs 1.2 billion for Local Government projects and fire services. These include:
• First, a new market fair and commercial complex at Rose Hill;
• Second, upgrading of the Fish and Poultry Section of the Port Louis Central Market to ensure that proper hygiene and sanitary conditions prevail;
• Third, construction of multipurpose complexes at Abercrombie, Camp Levieux and Petit Verger;
• Fourth, 9 additional funeral incinerators will be installed;
• Fifth, a new jogging track at Camp Levieux;
• Sixth, upgrading of Pamplemousses market;
• Seventh, a new market fair at Chemin Grenier;
• Eighth, 40 new scavenging lorries for municipal and district councils over the next two years;
• Ninth, construction of new fire stations at Goodlands, Montagne Blanche, Quatre Bornes and Mahebourg;
• Tenth, purchase of 5 new water lorries and a turntable ladder;
• And Eleventh, Rs 400 million have been earmarked for:
o Construction and upgrading of secondary roads;
o Small sports infrastructure;
o Renovation of public toilets;
o Upgrading and renovation of village and municipal halls; and
o Provision of street lighting.
134. We are also providing Rs 14 million for the upgrading of various Community Centres across Mauritius and for the construction of a new one at Tranquebar under the SILWF