Reply: As the House may be aware, the issue of illegal operation of taxi services at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport by out-based taxis and other vehicles has been ongoing for quite a number of years. On 09 December 2024 and 21 October 2025, two meetings were held by the hon. Minister of Land Transport in the presence of the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, and other hon. Members of the National Assembly of the constituency, with relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring effective and efficient taxi services at the airport. The following recommendations were made – (i) enhance police presence at arrivals and enforcement at the airport; (ii) CCTV camera surveillance to be effective; (iii) the display of taxi counters to be more conspicuous, and (iv) wearing of uniforms by drivers to be included as a condition of the taxi licence. Another meeting was held on 17 November 2025 at the level of the Ministry of Land Transport following which a letter was issued on 28 November 2025 to the Commissioner of Police to take necessary measures to enhance security at the Arrival concourse for the safety and security of the taxi operators based at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. In regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, on Saturday 15 November 2025, Mr Y.A., a taxi driver operating at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport reported an incident to the Airport Police

134 involving Mr A.U. The latter was allegedly canvassing two female tourists and heading towards his vehicle. When Mr Y.A. informed the tourists that Mr A.U. was an illegal taxi operator, an altercation broke out between them. Mr A.U. physically assaulted Mr Y.A. as a result of which the latter got injured. Thereafter, Mr Y.A. was conveyed to Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Rose Belle for medical attention and was discharged the following day. Police has recorded the statement of Mr Y.A. On 23 November 2025, the accused Mr A.U. was interviewed by the Police in connection with the case of “Simple Assault”. On 04 December 2025, he called at Airport Police Station, accompanied by Counsel, where his defence statement was recorded. A further statement of the victim Mr Y. A. will be recorded. Furthermore, the Police is awaiting the medical reports from the Government Medical Officer, to be included in the case file. Upon completion of the enquiry, Police will decide whether to prosecute the accused Mr A.U. for the offence of “Simple Assault”. The Airport Police is responsible for policing in the precinct of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and its vicinity. They are also assisted by the personnel of the Criminal Investigation Division and Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit as well as other external agencies, such as the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section of the Mauritius Revenue Authority, Airports of Mauritius Ltd and Airport Terminal Operations Ltd. The airport area is also under CCTV cameras surveillance manned by Airports of Mauritius Ltd. The Airport Police and personnel of the Mauritius Revenue Authority carry out regular stop and check of persons and vehicles in the compound of the airport for the prevention and detection of illegal activities. I am further informed that following the incident which occurred on 15 November 2025, the Officer-in-Charge of Airport Police has taken the following additional measures with a view to ensuring security and preventing illegal taxi operations at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport – (i) Police presence has been increased at strategic locations by deploying more Police Officers on foot and mobile patrols;

135 (ii) the Illegal Taxi Squad of the Airport Police responsible for preventing illegal taxi from operating in the compound of the airport has been reinforced with additional personnel being deployed for duty; (iii) taxi operators and employees working at the airport are being sensitised to report illegal activities, including illegal taxi operating in the compound of the airport for prompt police actions; (iv) joint crackdown operations are being carried out twice weekly by Airport Police and Criminal Investigation Division to prevent illegal taxis from operating at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport; (v) the Airport Police is working in close collaboration with Airports of Mauritius Ltd with a view to identifying suspicious vehicles detected through CCTV Cameras, and (vi) the National Land Transport Authority has been requested to carry out targeted operations at the airport. As regards illegal transfer of taxi licenses to operate at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, no such complaint has been reported to the Police so far. Government will look into the whole issue of operations of illegal taxi at the airport, including the car park thereat. A new Smart Car Park system is being implemented and is expected start operating tentatively on 15 December 2025. Installation of equipment has been completed and the configuration of the system is in progress. SSR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – DEPARTURE & ARRIVAL – BIOMETRIC PASSPORT INTRODUCTION