Thank you. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it will be a bit of a long reply. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that section 2(1)…

If it is a long reply, you can circulate it.

No, no, it is technical also. I can explain to my hon. Friends. Section 2(1)(j) of the Fifth Schedule of the Environment Act 2024 makes provision for the Chief National Transport Commissioner of the National Land Transport Authority to be designed enforcing agency in relation to smoke and noise emission by motor vehicles. Items 8, 12, 181 and 200 of the Fourth Schedule of the Road Traffic Act also provide for provision of fixed penalties or offenses in relation to noise for modified exhaust system. With regard to part (a) of the question, with a view to strengthening deterrence and curb down noise pollution from modified exhaust systems, the fixed penalty is falling in the range of Rs1,000 to Rs5,000 has now been increased to Rs10,000 as from 09 October 2025 through the Finance Act. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in addition to the fixed penalties, Regulation 20 of the Road Traffic (Control of Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2002 provides that an authorised officer may issue a prohibition notice where the test results of a motor vehicle’s noise emission test exceed the prescribed level specified in the Fifth Schedule of the Road Traffic (Control of Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2002 by 10 dB(A). The notice prohibits the operation of the vehicle on any road until the defect has been remedied to the satisfaction of the authorised officer within 14 days as from the date of the notice. With regard to part (b) of the question, existing noise regulations are being enforced on a daily basis by the Police de l’Environnement. Special operations concerning noise nuisance are also conducted with the support of the Divisional Headquarters of the Mauritius Police Force along with the Special Mobile Force, Police du Tourisme, the Emergency Response

85 Service and the Environmental Health Engineering Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness during weekends. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I informed that during the period January 2025 to 23 October, 43 and 89 contraventions have been established in respect to noise emanating from modified exhaust systems and loud sound equipment installed in motor vehicles respectively in breach of regulations –  Regulations 83(2), 83(3) and 125 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2010 concerning exhaust silencer system not in good and efficient working order and alternation of silencer respectively;  Regulations 84 and 125 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles);  Regulations 2010 for using motor vehicles causing excessive noise and the Environment Protection (Control of Noise) Regulations 2022. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, concerning part (c) of the question, Regulation 4(4) of the Environment Protection (Control of Noise) Regulations 2022 stipulates that – “No person shall use or cause to be used a loud speaker, a loud hailer, an amplifier, a musical instrument or any other electrical or mechanical device for producing sound, within a radius of 100 metres, and which unreasonably interferes with the proper running, of – (a) an educational or vocational institution during the normal hours of instruction; (b) a health institution; (c) a place of worship; (d) a Court of Justice; (e) the Municipal City Council [other municipal councils]; or (f) the Government House during the hours at which the National Assembly sits.” Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (d) of the question, the Information and Education Division of my Ministry conducts ongoing awareness raising and sensitisation activities targeting various groups, including youth, women, senior citizens, NGOs, schools, local communities and the general public. A broad range of environmental issues are addressed, including noise pollution. The awareness activities are delivered through talks, short videos, radio spots, presentations, billboards and posters. From January 2025 to date, 55

86 talks have been conducted for the benefit of various community groups. My Ministry will enhance mass awareness initiatives to support the national campaign aimed at improving the living environment through stronger enforcement measures in collaboration with local authorities.

The hon. Third Member for Grand Baie and Poudre d’Or! CONSTITUENCY NO. 6 – IRREGULAR WATER SUPPLY – PROPOSED MEASURES