Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to refer the hon. Member to the reply I made to PQ A/4 on 28 October 2025 regarding traffic congestion at the Daruty and Vale Junction. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the heavy traffic congestion occurring along the bypass from the Goodlands roundabout up to the Espace Maison/Rouillard Roundabout, that is, the Forbach roundabout, is not an isolated issue. In fact, technical assessments indicate a significant shock wave effect originating from the Labourdonnais and Mapou roundabouts. The backup traffic queue eventually cascades down to the Forbach Espace Maison roundabout, creating a major obstruction for vehicles coming from the Goodlands bypass that attempt to join the motorway M2. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit that its traffic modelling unit has recently undertaken a comprehensive traffic modelling exercise to identify the most effective infrastructure proposal for enhancing traffic fluidity along the motorway M2 corridor, specifically for commuters travelling from Labourdonnais and Mapou regions towards Port Louis and vice versa during peak hours. The traffic modelling concludes that the existing infrastructure is currently in a state of total corridor failure, characterised by severe traffic delays. The traffic modelling confirms that the motorway M2 between Mapou and Labourdonnais functions as a single interconnected system. At grade, improvements such as the implementation of slip lanes only are insufficient to support the long-term traffic growth on this corridor. Also, the upgrading of only one of the two roundabouts is counterproductive. This intervention triggers a collapse of the adjacent node due to the increased rate of vehicle arrivals. In this context, the TMRSU issue has informed the RDA that it recommends the implementation of dual flyovers, grade separated junctions at both Mapou and Labourdonnais roundabouts. This option is expected to achieve an optimal level of service while maintaining existing local access patterns and safeguarding the existing public transport routes. The TMRSU further recommends the construction of a link road between Beau Plateau Road, B43 and Middle Road, B17, starting from a new roundabout at the sharp bend of B43 Road, which passes on the outskirts of Mapou village. The RDA has examined this option, but is proposing the construction of a new bypass linking Beau Plateau to Mapou. This bypass would streamline traffic between the two roads without requiring access to motorway M2. Additionally, replacing the sharp bend with a roundabout along the B43 Road will significantly enhance safety along that segment of the road. Accordingly, a request has been made in the Budget 2026-2027 for the provision of funds for this project. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the junction of Mapou-Goodlands Road-A5 Road and the Vale Road B12 Road is a signalised T-junction. It has been observed that during peak hours, there is a high volume of traffic coming from A5 Road and Goodlands bypass A13 Road, wishing to right turn to exceed onto B12 Road. As such, the vehicles have to wait for either a safe gap to perform this right turn movement for vehicles coming from motorway M2 provide the right of way as a courtesy for vehicles on A5 to right turn onto B12 Road. In doing so, traffic queues quickly build up. This high volume of right turning traffic movement during peak hours is the primary cause of queuing at this signalised T-junction. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am further informed by the TMRSU that it has, as an immediate measure, provided for a shorter time of the green traffic signal for the leg coming from the motorway M2, that is stopping the vehicles along this leg and simultaneously increasing the green light time for the traffic signal along A5 Road to cater for the high volume of right turning traffic movement. This measure is intended to give the high volume of right turning vehicles on A5 Road more time to clear the intersection and thus provide immediate relief to the queue build up. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed by the RDA that with a view to solving the traffic congestion problem at junction Daruty and Vale, the TRMSU has asked the RDA to improve the junction by constructing a slip lane from the Mapou-Goodlands Road towards Vale Road B12. However, this project will require the acquisition of private land. A request for land acquisition has recently been made by the RDA to my Ministry and action has been initiated for land acquisition. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to highlight that I recently announced the implementation by my Ministry of the Motorway M4 project, which will start in the region of Forbach near the Espace Maison roundabout. This new motorway project will be an alternative route and is expected to contribute substantially to the decongestion of the existing road networks in that region, including the Northern corridor. The project also comprises a grade separated junction along the motorway M2 at Forbach to significantly improve the fluidity of traffic in that region. The works are expected to start during the next financial year to be completed some 32 months later. It is therefore premature to consider the construction of an additional lane from Goodlands roundabout to Forbach. Once the motorway M4 project would be completed, an assessment would be conducted to find out whether there would be need for the construction of the additional lane. Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Deputy Speaker, Sir. Can the hon. Minister inform the House whether any representation by former elected members or previous government, has been received at the Ministry concerning the daily traffic congestion pending over there, Goodlands-Daruty, since many years?

As far as I have seen in the files, I have not seen any question or any request from MPs but however, I appreciate that you raised the question of congestion in that region.

One last question.

Yeah. Thank you. In view of rapid residential and commercial development taking place in the northern region, more precisely at Goodlands, Petit Raffray, Calodyne, Roche Terre, Grand-Gaube, will the hon.Minister indicate whether a comprehensive Traffic Management Plan is being envisaged for these particular areas to ease the traffic flow?

But this is what I said in my answer. So, we have a comprehensive study and now we will be working on B43, that is, from Beau Plateau to Mapou, that is passing at the back of Ecole Labourdonnais in order to bypass that region and they go to Mapou. And then we have the M4 road project which is coming, so we will have to assess all these once they are completed on how they are working.

Do you have a question on this?

Oui. Je vous remercie. Le ministre a confirmé dans sa réponse que le gouvernement ira de l'avant avec le Motorway M4. Le ministre peut-il indiquer si le gouvernement considère qu'une étude de faisabilité datant de 2012 est suffisante pour engager un projet dépassant R 10 milliards dans le contexte économique et démographique actuel et dans la négative, pourra-t-il indiquer à la Chambre si une étude actualisée sera faite ?

First of all, let me thank the Government of India for assisting us in having this project to come on our pipeline for the next financial year because without the Indian grant and loan support, without the support of Indian Government, we would never have been able to undertake this project, and this project dates back 20 years. Government after government knows that we have to connect the North with the East and eventually with the South. Now, there was an EIA which has been done. Despite that there has been an EIA, we are updating the EIA. There will be the local consultants who have worked on the project, the same local consultants whose services have been retained. The Indian side have accepted that the local consultant will work on that. So, they are doing everything to review the EIA and all.

It is not EIA. C’est une étude de faisabilité.

Tout a était fait. Tout va être fait. Mais on apprécie et on remercie le gouvernement de l'Inde pour nous aider pour faire ce projet.

Okay, you have answered the question. You have one question?

Yes.

On the same issue?

Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Or your next question?

No, it is on the same issue.

Quick.

Since the hon. Minister is talking of a master plan for that region, will he consider the total rehabilitation of the Forbach Road together in the road system there?

Yes, this is what I said because the Forbach region where you have Espace Maison…

The Forbach Road.

Yes, the Forbach Road will be taken care when we will be working on the M4 Project. All these will be taken care of.

The hon. Third Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or, your question. RIVIÈRE DU REMPART DISTRICT COUNCIL – BUILDING & LAND USE PERMITS – APPLICATIONS & OBJECTIONS