Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I shall reply to this Parliamentary Question. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Road Development Authority is responsible for the construction, care, maintenance and improvement of main roads and motorways, while the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit, which operates under the purview of the Ministry of Land Transport, is responsible for the traffic management and congestion alleviation. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the construction of the Terre Rouge-Verdun-Trianon link road, now known as Motorway M3, was completed in December 2013 and was implemented following a feasibility study having as main objectives to reduce congestion on Motorways M1 and M2 and improve travel time and connectivity between the north and the centre of the island. The project also contributes to boost economic development, enhance road network resilience by providing an alternate route and creating new development opportunities. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the TRMSU that prior to the construction and opening of the Motorway M3, the main route for vehicles travelling between the southern and northern parts of the island was through Port Louis via Motorways M1 and M2. A study carried out by the TMRSU in 2011 indicated that through traffic accounted for approximately 30% of total traffic converging daily towards Port Louis, thereby contributing significantly to congestion along these corridors. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am also informed by the TMRSU that no specific post- implementation study has been carried out in the subsequent years following the commissioning of the project to assess its effectiveness. However, once it opened to traffic, the Motorway M3 provided an alternative route for through traffic, thereby reducing dependence on Port Louis as a transit point. Observations at the time indicated an immediate improvement in traffic flow along Motorways M1, M2. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as the House is aware, over the past decade, Mauritius has experienced a significant increase in the number of registered vehicles, rising from 486,144 in 2015 to 746,961 in 2025, representing an increase of approximately 53%. This has resulted in increased traffic volumes across the road network and has contributed to worsening congestion along Motorways M1 and M2 towards Port Louis. According to traffic counts carried out in 2025 by the TMRSU, approximately 4,300 vehicles per hour travel towards Port Louis from the south via Motorway M1 during peak hours, while approximately 3,600 vehicles travel from the north via Motorway M2 per hour. The most recent traffic count along the Motorway M3 was carried out in 2018 by the TMRSU. Adjusting for the increase in traffic over the years, it is estimated that approximately 3,100 vehicles travel towards Ebène from the north at the Côte d'Or roundabout during peak hours, 7.45 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., while approximately 2,500 vehicles travel in the opposite direction. In the absence of the M3, this traffic would otherwise have passed through Port Louis via Motorways M1 and M2, further aggravating congestion on these corridors. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in addition to the construction of Motorway M3 as an alternate route with a view to addressing congestion, the RDA has completed several projects along Motorways M1 and M2 to further improve the level of service of its road network. Grade separated junctions and flyovers have been implemented at Caudan, Quay D, Terre Rouge, and La Vigie. A third lane has also been added on Motorway M1 between Terre Rouge and Roche Bois. Further traffic modelling exercises are being carried out at Mapou and Labourdonnais roundabout for future interventions. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the RDA further intends to facilitate access to Motorway M3 through the construction of slip lanes at Côte d'Or and Ripailles roundabouts. These slip lanes will allow road users to gain access to the motorway in less time and contribute to an overall improvement in the traffic fluidity along the corridor and connecting roads. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, moreover, Government intends to proceed with the implementation of the Ring Road Phase 2 project, which is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion in and around Port Louis and act as an alternate route for road users who do not need to pass through the city centre. This new strategically will help redistribute traffic currently using the M1 Motorway and key junctions within Port Louis, thereby reducing pressure on heavily congested corridors during peak hours. It will also improve connectivity between existing roads and enhance the overall resilience and efficiency of the national road network. Besides, Government will implement a flyover project at Camp Fouquereaux to render the traffic more fluid. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the meantime, I am requesting the RDA to carry out a joint survey with the Police and the TMRSU, including a fresh traffic count, to determine immediate measures to alleviate the traffic situation along Motorway M3.

Time is over! Hon. Members, the Table has been advised that the following PQs have been withdrawn: B/596, B/597, B/598, B/599, B/602, B/606, B/607, B/608, B/609, B/610, B/611, B/612, B/613, B/614, B/616, B/617, B/618, B/619, B/622, B/623, B/624, B/625, B/626, B/627, and B/628.