Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that my Ministry enlisted the services of a consultant in 2019 to develop design standards for the integration of cyclist as a means of commuting in Mauritius and proposing a detailed cycling network plan for four specific regions, including Rose Hill, which is the subject of the question. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regard part (a) of the question, I am informed that the scope of works for the project comprises a total of 6.1 km of cycle network covering the areas of Ebène to Rose Hill and Balfour to Beau Bassin Metro Station as follows – (i) 1.55 km of segregated cycle track from Ebène gymnasium till Ebène Recreational Park through Morcellement Ebène and linking École Hotelière and MITD Ebène with the network; (ii) 1 km of segregated cycle tracks from Ebène Metro Station till Ebène Recreational Park and linking residential zones of Ebène Cybervillage and Morcellement au Bout du Monde with the network; (iii) 0.95 km of segregated cycle track from Ebène Recreational Park to Rose Hill Metro Station and Place Margeot; (iv) 0.1 km of segregated cycle track from Place Margeot to Loreto College; (v) 0.35 km of cycle street from Loreto College to Notre Dame de Lourdes church; (vi) 0.95 km of cycle lane from Notre Dame de Lourdes church to Montmartre church, Municipality of Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Plaza, St Mary’s College, and lastly

56 (vii) 1.2 km of cycle street from Balfour Garden till Beau Bassin Metro Station and Sacré Coeur Church. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the infrastructure for the cycle network also included 78 cycle racks installed at seven key locations, road markings and traffic signs. The total cost of the project amounted to Rs63,435,715.16 inclusive of VAT.

63!

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards part (b) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the cycle network is not yet operational.

Zot’nn bez kas ladan.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, cycling is an ecofriendly mode of transportation and it is integrated with the public transport network in many countries. In fact, it has been announced in this Government Programme 2025-2029 that cycling infrastructure would also be developed into the country’s larger strategy mobility. In fact, making cycling safe is one of the mottos for the 8th Un Global Road Safety Week. Thank you!

… zot’nn bez kas ladan.

Yes, hon. Member.

M. le président, pour être honnête avec vous, je suis abasourdie. Je suis abasourdie quand je vois la somme qui été dépensée, R 63 millions pour un projet qui ne bénéficie à personne. An hon. Member : Ah si, même plusieurs !

(Interruptions)

Alors, would the Minister inform the House whether the bike lane has been gazetted and incorporated into the Road Traffic Act, please? Thank you.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is a very pertinent question. The project contract was awarded on 08 December 2022 and was completed on 15 November 2024, one week before I became Minister. I wish to inform the House, and on a note of concern, that no appropriate regulations under the Road Traffic Act have been made so far. So, the priority of those implementing the project was to implement their project for Rs63 m. but the legal part was not done. So, we are working on it now, and once this is done –

57 hopefully soon – then we can start sensitising the public to use it if the regulations are approved. I cannot take it on me right now, but if they are approved, then it will be this way.

M. le président, une dernière s’il vous plait. C’est vraiment important, R 63 millions…

Yes, go on.

Je vous remercie, M. le président…

Your question!

Franchement vous dire, c’est scandaleux. Scandaleux !

Put your question now!

Je voudrais, s’il vous plait, déposer deux photos sur la table de l’Assemblée nationale. La première concernant ce fameux bike lane à Ebène. À peine deux ans, la peinture verte qui est déjà partie. Et ensuite, à Rose Hill, derrière le collège St Mary’s, deux lanes – au lieu de faciliter la circulation, ces deux lanes sont venus rétrécir la route, et en plus, les automobilistes ne peuvent même pas utiliser la partie verte, vu que ce n’est pas gazetted et ils feront une offense, etc. Alors, M. le président, le ministre pourrait-il indiquer à la Chambre le coût de cette peinture verte – ça m’intéresse – au mètre carré ? Ça m’intéresse ! Et au vu et au su de ce qu’on a entendu, est-ce qu’il envisage d’ouvrir une enquête pour déterminer si des commissions ont été versées, et si tel est le cas, si le rapport sera soumis à la FCC ? Je vous remercie, M. le président.

Fortunately, I have brought the bill of quantities together with me. So, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the painting that the hon. Member is referring to and which has faded away costed tax payers Rs1,632 per metre square. An hon. Member: Poz marb sa!

(Interruptions)

Much more expensive…

Let’s listen to the Minister, please!

58

Much more expensive than bitumen of 50 mm thick, which costed Rs922. So, I am quite baffled by the photo that you are showing, that the painting is being washed away with great facility. So, the point is taken; an inquiry will be done on this.

Thank you.

Since the Member is interested, I can table a copy of the bill of quantities.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you. The hon. Third Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! MAMZELLE LAURE, TERRE ROUGE – MORCELLEMENT PROJECT – DRAIN CONSTRUCTION WORKS