the Boulingrin tunnel at Long Mountain, along the Terre Rouge Verdun Motorway, he will state if he has been…
(No. B/483) Mr L. Caserne (Third Member for Port Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Minister of National Infrastructure whether, in regard to the Boulingrin tunnel at Long Mountain, along the Terre Rouge Verdun Motorway, he will state if he has been made aware of water accumulation thereat during and after heavy rainfall thereby rendering same inaccessible for pedestrians and, if so, indicate – 36 (a) the urgent remedial measures being envisaged therefor, including the construction of drains, and (b) if consideration will be given for the construction of a new access road to serve the region.
Madam Speaker, I am informed by Road Development Authority that in the context of the construction of Terre Rouge-Verdun-Trianon Link Road in December 2013, an existing access road linking the village of Boulingrin to Long Mountain was cut off as it was crossing the alignment of the Terre Rouge-Verdun Link Road. Under the circumstances, with a view to maintaining access, the underpass or tunnel at Boulingrin was constructed to cater for passage of local agricultural workers and landowners. I am further informed that in view of the topography of the site where the underpass is located and due to mud from passing of heavy vehicles, there is recurrent water and mud accumulation thereat. Regular maintenance works such as cleaning of drains, vegetation controls are accordingly carried out by the RDA, whenever the need arises. With a view to resolving the issue of water accumulation, a site visit was carried out on 08 April 2024 at the underpass by officers of RDA, the NDU, the Land Drainage Authority, and the District Council of Pamplemousses. The LDA was accordingly requested to carry out an assessment of the catchment area and propose measures to mitigate and resolve the issue of water accumulation thereat. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the LDA that several measures have been recommended to address the matter, including the reinstatement of the cross drains connecting the track road drains to feeder Muemur and fitting with metal gratings to prevent water ponding. Other proposed remedial measures are being discussed with the RDA regarding their feasibility. In addition, I am informed by the LDA that the District Council of Pamplemousses undertook cleaning of vegetation around the underpass and the existing storm water drain in February 2025. A follow-up cleaning is scheduled in two weeks as part of its ongoing in- house maintenance. As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed that the region of Boulingrin is already connected to the Montagne Longue-Crève Coeur (B19) Road through an existing road. As such, there is no need to provide an alternative road for the region of Boulingrin. However, given that the existing road which connects Boulingrin to the B19 Road is a non-
37 classified road and is narrow, consideration may be given to the widening of the road by the District Council of Pamplemousses.
The hon. Third Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or! CONSTITUENCY NO. 6 – WATER ISSUES – MEASURES