Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by Metro Express Ltd that to address the issue of lack of parking, pick-up and drop-off facilities around the Quatre Borne Light Rail Station, four plots of land situated near Courts Mammouth Building were acquired by the Ministry of Housing and Lands and handed over to MEL in February 2024. Subsequently, in June 2024, MEL awarded a contract for the sum of Rs14.9 million inclusive of VAT – it is a long figure but I am going to mention Rs14.9 million – to Transinvest Construction Ltd for the provision of lay-by with shelter and toilets at Quatre Borne station. The project consists of the following – 1. Construction of public toilet blocks; 2. Office for MEL officers; 3. Parking space for vehicles and related amenities; 4. Bus lay-by along Victoria Avenue. However, I am informed that, at a meeting held at the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes in July 2024, MEL was requested to examine the possibilities of foregoing those plots of land for the provision of additional bus base required under the Quatre Bornes Urban Terminal Project. At the time, the construction of the Park and Ride Project was well on the way and it would have been difficult to alter the scope of the project without entailing contractual and financial implications. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in August 2024, MEL had received a petition from the residents of the locality expressing their serious concerns to the conversion of the proposed parking site into bus base. Concerns raised pertained essentially to traffic congestion, safety, noise and air pollution, as well as privacy issues, in view that the site lies within a residential zone. Disruption of local access arising from movement of buses for alighting and boarding of passengers throughout the day, was evoked as another major issue. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in January this year, I chaired a meeting on the issue whereby it was agreed that the construction works for the parking facilities would be temporarily put on hold, pending a final decision on the implementation of the Quatre Bornes Urban Terminal Project. As at date, the construction of the toilet block has been completed and

73 MEL is in the process of handing over the site to the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes for its operation. The construction of the bus lay-by has also been completed and is in use. I am informed that the council will launch an expression of interest shortly for its operation. According to the information obtained from MEL, 53% of the works have been completed in regard to the parking space. I am further informed by the Ministry of Local Government that in light – I think this is important – of the complaints received from inhabitants against the proposed bus holding area traffic centre, the Council has, at its public infrastructure meeting on 13 October 2025, that is two weeks ago, decided that the said site be maintained for the construction of the park and ride facility.

Yes, one supplementary.

Je vous remercie, M. le président. Could the hon. Minister inform the House whether consultations have been held with residents and stakeholders who signed the petition, please? Thank you.

Seemingly that has been done at the level of the Municipal Council of Quatre Bornes for them to arrive at that recommendation two weeks ago.

Second one, please. Last one.

Yes, last one. Quick.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Would the hon. Minister inform the House whether an Environmental Impact Assessment or Traffic Impact Study has been conducted to ensure that the proposed parking area will not worsen congestion on Victoria Avenue? Thank you.

You mean for the Park and Ride for the Metro Express Ltd?

Yes.

I can do that. Yes. Thank you.

The hon. First Member for La Caverne and Phoenix! GAZA CRISIS – HUMANITARIAN LAW VIOLATION – GOVERNMENT’S DIPLOMATIC MEASURES

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