Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Road Development Authority that in the context of the construction of new roads, an exemption, as provided under sections 18 and 28 and part (b) and part (c) of the Fifth Schedule of the Environment Protection Act 2002 is usually solicited as the project satisfies the two criteria set out under the Act, namely that the project is required in the national interest and for the economic development of Mauritius. Accordingly, the RDA proceeds as follows – a) a preliminary identification for environmental implication is carried out during the concept stage; b) during project development, the scope of work is sent to the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change for advice or request for exemption; c) if no EIA is required, an Environmental Protection Management Plan is still prepared by contractor at construction stage; d) if an EIA is required, the RDA applies for an exemption under the EPA, if so required the EIA is prepared and submitted to the Director of Environment for the due process; e) the RDA seeks the necessary authorisations from the relevant authorities prior to implementation and complies with the list of conditions imposed, and f) management and monitoring plans are submitted to the Director of Environment. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the RDA that from 2019 to 2024, some 38 major road projects have been implemented. According to the RDA, 30 projects did not warrant an EIA in line with the Fifth Schedule of the Environment Protection Act 2002 and eight projects were EIA exempted by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change. These projects are – 1. Cap Malheureux Bypass;

74 2. Construction of A1-A3 Link Road; 3. Reconstruction of Jumbo Phoenix Roundabout; 4. Construction of Verdun Bypass; 5. La Vigie-La Brasserie-Beaux Songes Link Road; 6. A1-M1 Bridge; 7. Flood mitigation measures at Anse Jonchée, and 8. Lastly interchange construction and improvements along M3-A14 corridor at Ebene. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, regarding the construction of the flyover on Motorway M1 at La Vigie which forms part of the broader La Vigie-La Brasserie-Beaux Songes Link Road Project, an EIA exempt undertaking was obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on 10 July 2018. Following a new government policy aimed at replacing roundabouts on motorways by flyovers to improve traffic flow, the proposed roundabout at La Vigie was substituted with a flyover. According to the RDA, this modification in design did not necessitate a new EIA exemption and the existing exempt undertaking was applicable. Nonetheless, an EIA report was prepared by the contractor and submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change only on 10 April 2025 for review. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change that in view of the fact that the construction of the flyover at La Vigie required clearing of part of a forest, an EIA was in fact required as stipulated under item 10 – ‘Conversion of forest land to any other land use’ under the Sixth Schedule, part (b) of the Environment Act 2024. Similar discrepancies have also been reported by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change in respect of other projects such as construction of the Flic-en-Flac Bypass. In view of the conflicting reports and the seriousness of the matter, I have personally requested the RDA to unreservedly consult the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change prior to undertaking any major road project. Any exemption, if applicable, should be obtained prior to the commencement of works in line with the provisions of the law.

75 On the other hand, if any EIA is warranted, the RDA shall do the needful as directed by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to reassure the House that under this Government, our pursuit for a modern and state-of-the-art road infrastructure will not be at the cost of the environment. Thank you.

Thank you. Next question! Hon. Third Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien! TAXI OPERATORS WELFARE FUND – CONTRIBUTION, FUNDS & EXPENSES – MEDICAL SCHEME