Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Metro Express Ltd that an Emergency Response Plan is in place along Saint-Jean Road in Quatre Bornes. This plan was prepared by MEL in collaboration with emergency services including the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Services, SAMU and the police in 2022. To improve and facilitate the entry and exit of fire trucks, an access point of approximately 12 metres located along Osman Avenue was designed with sufficient turning radius to allow for the safe manoeuvre of the large fire trucks. This access has been in service since the launch of Phase 2B – Quatre Bornes to Phoenix in May 2022 and is to the satisfaction of the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Services. As such, Madam Speaker, all vehicles including those of emergency services are able to travel from the region of Quatre Bornes towards Saint-Jean, Belle-Rose, La Louise, Sodnac or Trianon without the need to take detours. I am further informed that in the event Saint Jean Road is inaccessible, owing to situations like a road accident, the emergency services can also, as a last resort, gain access to the railway tracks after receiving special authorisation from the Metro Express Operation Control Centre. The scenario has been tested during full scale simulation in collaboration with the fire services, SAMU and the police in the presence of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre and the Singaporean safety auditor from the SMRT. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that the collaborative efforts in developing the Emergency Response Plan does not stop here. To ensure that a high level of coordination demonstrated in the initial full scale is maintained and to continuously improve our response capability, I am proposing to hold a follow up simulation exercise. This exercise will involve all stakeholders directly – the police, the Fire Services, SAMU, the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Centre, the Metro Express Ltd and the TRMSU which was not involved initially. The primary goal will be to identify any residual issues with the plan, particularly concerning rapid development and coordination across different access points and routes. By finetuning our procedures through this critical practical exercise, we will ensure that in any genuine emergency situation, every action is executed efficiently and effectively, allowing us to response swiftly and save lives while ensuring that traffic disturbance is kept to an absolute minimum.

45 This proactive approach underscores the government unwavering commitment to safety and security of our commuters and the community along the Metro Express corridor. And, as a last note, I am tabling the emergency response plan for Saint Jean, Quatre Bornes.

Thank you. Yes.

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Would the hon. Minister inform the House whether there are designated safe zones or assembly points along Saint Jean Road for l’évacuation urgente?

Yes, it is quite detailed in the plan that I have just submitted but when we will meet soon, I hope the hon. Member will facilitate arrangement at some appropriate location for us to come and explain what is in the plan so that everybody can understand.

A last one, Madam Speaker. Thank you. Will the hon.Minister inform the House how communication will be managed with residents, commuters and emergency services in the event of an accident? Thank you. Mr Osman Mahomed A good question, a very pertinent question but like I said, when we will meet in a participative democratic manner in your Constituency, hon. Member, we will detail all these going forward.

Hon. François, please, last question, I think. PSAC – FOUNDATION PROGRAMME INTRODUCTION – SUCCESS RATE