Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is clear that the current traffic situation in Quatre Bornes is inextricably linked to the light rail system which operates at an at-grade, meaning ground level, with the local traffic. We must candidly acknowledge that the impact of this corridor on the town's traditional traffic flow is now irreversible. At this stage, our focus must be on the strategic implementation of palliative measures designed to mitigate these disruptions and restore fluidity to the region. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the public will vividly recall the intense debate that surfaced during the construction of the light rail system in Quatre Bornes. There was a profound sense of apprehension among residents and business operators alike, who feared that an at-ground level configuration would fundamentally disrupt their daily lives. These concerns were not unfounded. Indeed, myself as an elected Member of Opposition, on 24 September 2019, I stood up in this very House and addressed three consecutive Parliamentary Questions to the then Minister, Mr Nando Bodha. My first Parliamentary Question on that day, PQ B/886, specifically challenged the positioning of the track along Saint Jean Road. I had, with unfortunate accuracy, foreseen the traffic segregation and the adverse socio-economic impacts we are forced to navigate. The warnings were clear then, but they were ignored. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I must underline that Quatre Bornes was historically the most modern of our towns, bearing the hallmark of superior urban planning and a pleasant living environment. Was the construction of the light rail line a result of total lack of foresight regarding traffic repercussions or was it an inconsiderate attempt to demonstrate for political mileage that the project could be completed at lower cost? Most of the railway runs from Curepipe to Port Louis, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on ex- railway tracks. One would, therefore, think that the more logical alignment for the light rail in the region of Quatre Bornes was to follow the old railway line, stretching from Avenue Sodnac to the market fair, to connect to Promenade Roland Armand. However, because that region is a densely built-up area, an alternative alignment, running partially parallel to the M1 at Trianon and cutting into Saint Jean, was chosen. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the TMRSU of my Ministry that despite micro-level traffic analysis undertaken at various junctions to optimise operational performance, severe traffic congestion and delays persist along key sections of Saint Jean and adjoining streets. Several recurrent traffic congestion locations have been identified within the town of Quatre-Bornes, particularly during hours, notably along Saint-Jean Road, from La Louise to Trianon, Hillcrest Road towards Motorway M1, and the transit signal priority system junction of Victoria Avenue and Sir Guy Forget and Belle Rose Avenue, and also Remy Olier Avenue and Pasteur Avenue and Ythier Avenue, as well as the town centre of Quatre-Bornes, including the market area and surrounding school zones, where high pedestrian and vehicular traffic are observed. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are maximising the utility of existing infrastructure for public safety. In the event of a major accident, the light rail track at Saint Jean has been designed to serve as an emergency corridor for first responders. This was put to test in the evening of 10 December 2025, five months ago, when Metro Express Limited successfully conducted its first ever emergency situation at the request of the hon. elected members of Constituency number 18. Hon. Ms. Anquetil, hon. Dr. Boolell and yourself, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. No. 18, so sorry about that. I purposely made that mistake so that I know whether you are following or not. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in relation to the request to elaborate a master plan, I am informed that the Road Development Authority, in its capacity as the highway authority, has worked on a draft Strategic Road Master Plan, which is being discussed at different levels, and is pursuing a series of infrastructure interventions aimed at improving traffic flow and regional connectivity within and around Quatre-Bornes. Accordingly, the Saint-Jean A1 constitutes the principal arterial corridor within Quatre-Bornes, accommodating significant traffic for regional connectivity. The RDA has also implemented the construction of the Hillcrest interchange together with the duelling of Hillcrest Road, which has upgraded the existing road infrastructure, increased network capacity, enhanced connectivity, and provided alternative routes for road users. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to further highlight that these measures taken by the RDA to address the following traffic burden are as follows in bullet points – 1. Upgrading the Ebene flyover; 2. A slip lane which streamlines the transition towards the M3, successfully diverting a significant volume of traffic that previously saturated the Saint-Jean interchange; 3. Pellegrin-Trianon Link Road, currently at the implementation stage to enhance regional connectivity; 4. Strategic pipeline projects, and here I have in mind a new link road connecting the M1 at Hillcrest to the M3 at Trianon, and decongestion strategy in terms of infrastructural bypasses specifically engineered to draw traffic away from Quatre- Bornes town centre. I can assure the hon. Member that the TRMSU will continue following up with the TRMSU and will intervene as and when required. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we must acknowledge that any improvement to the two-lane section of Saint-Jean Road will be marginal unless we reduce overall traffic volume.

Okay.

To this end, I am pleased to announce that the park and ride with at Quatre-Bornes, which can accommodate 45 cars, is almost ready. This facility will be commissioned very shortly, potentially by the end of June, providing a secure space for commuters to leave their cars and board the trams. By encouraging this modal shift and implementing the proposed engineering solutions, we aim to restore at least some of the mobility that the people of Quatre-Bornes so rightly deserve. Thank you.

Yes.

Je vous remercie M. le président. Je remercie le ministre pour sa réponse. Le ministre peut-il expliquer à la Chambre pourquoi les rails du Métro Express ont été implantés en plein centre de Quatre Bornes, provoquant une congestion chronique et pénalisant lourdement la circulation des habitants de Quatre Bornes, alors que des aménagements moins contraignants ont été retenus à Curepipe, à Vacoas et à Port-Louis ? Merci.

Well, I do believe for two reasons, they did not follow the original alignment of the ex-railway track because the region is already heavily built up. There would have been huge impact on demolition cost. This is what I think. And also, they could have gone for a better solution but then like I explained in my substantive reply, I think they had to cut cost in order to be politically correct.

Last one.

Last one. J’ai beaucoup, mais bon. M. le président, alors que le métro est censé contribuer à la décongestion routière, le ministre peut-il indiquer à la Chambre quelles sont les solutions immédiates qui sont prévues pour les automobilistes alors qu'une série de carrefours sur la route principale de Saint-Jean impose des détours lourds et excessifs aux habitants, une véritable punition imposée par nul autre que l'ancien gouvernement MSM avec la complicité de l'ex PPS et de l'ancien ministre au numéro 18 ? Merci.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have listed a series of mitigating measures that the RDA, together with my ministry, are envisaging but then the modal shift, that I explained earlier, people favouring leaving their cars at the park and ride and using the trams, would greatly facilitate, especially at peak hours. So, I rely on the hon. member to canvass.

Honourable First Member for Piton Rivière du Rempart. CONSTITUENCY NO. 7 – FOOTBALL GROUNDS & MINI SOCCER PITCHES – LIGHTING INFRASTRUCTURE – MAINTENANCE