Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with a view to addressing the flooding issues holistically and mitigating the incidence of flooding in the region of La Louise, I am informed that the NDU has appointed Vyyaass Consulting Engineer Ltd as consultant for the design and supervision for flood mitigation measures in the region of La Louise, La Source and Candos, Quatre Bornes. Owing to the complexity of the project and the site conditions, the project will be implemented in different phases. The Land Drainage Authority has recommended as Phase 1 – Construction of Absorption Drains along Lal Bahadur Shastri Avenue and Candos-Vacoas Road as short-term measures. Phase 2 will involve works along Boundary Road, Sik Yuen Road, Nehru Road and Phoenix-Beaux Songes Road amongst others.

66 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I further informed that the project proposal for the short-term measures has been submitted by the consultant on 22 July 2025. Consequently, the project proposals and drawings were circulated to different stakeholders, including the Municipality of Quatre Bornes, the RDA, the Victoria Hospital and the Wastewater Management Authority on 31 July 2025. A presentation on the project proposal was also held on 06 August 2025 with all the stakeholders. As at date, only the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes has submitted its views, requesting the NDU to amend the design by constructing the absorption drain along Boundary Road with two retention ponds instead of constructing an absorption drain along Candos-Vacoas Road as initially recommended by the LDA. Consequently, the request for the change in design proposed by the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes has been forwarded to the LDA for consideration on 29 September 2025. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the other hand, the Road Development Authority has informed that it is not agreeable to the proposed construction of a stormwater absorption drain and provision of metal gratings along the carriage way of the Candos-Vacoas Road because of the following reasons – 1. Same will severely affect the pavement structure of the road; 2. It represents road safety hazards; 3. Cause serious traffic issues during implementation. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in view of the conflicting views, I have requested the Chief Project Manager of the NDU to chair a technical committee with all stakeholders and to come up with urgent implementable measures to mitigate flooding in the region of La Louise, Quatre Bornes.

Yes, hon. Ms Anquetil!

Je vous remercie, M. le président. Je remercie le ministre pour sa réponse. In view of the recurrent flooding affecting residents and road users, could the hon. Minister inform the House whether urgent measures can be envisaged, please? Thank you.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am sure my colleague knows the complexity of the work over there, even in certain regions, we have to relocate

67 Houses. So, we do not go about abruptly or quickly, so that is why I have put up a technical committee which I have asked to work very fast and to come with recommendation with immediate and short-term measures as to what can be done.

Hon. First Member for Port-Louis North and Montagne Longue! CONSTITUENCY NO. 4 – RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS – ASBESTOS – MEASURES