In line with its vision for a cleaner and greener Mauritius, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, in consultation with the Road Development Authority, Local Authorities and other concerned stakeholders, has developed a Masterplan for the greening and embellishment of some 69.4 km along the Motorways M1 and M2, to the tune of some Rs 700 million.
As such, an official launching ceremony to kick-start the Greening and Embellishment along Motorways M1 and M2 Project was held, on 11 June 2022 near Balisson Roundbout, in the presence of the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano.
The Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram, the Chief Government Whip, Mrs Naveena Ramyad, the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mrs Teenah Jutton, and other personalities were also present on this occasion.
In a statement, Minister Ramano highlighted that for ease of implementation of the recommendations of the Masterplan, the motorways have been subdivided into 32 segments, with each segment being defined between the roundabouts or interchanges, from SSR International Airport to Grand Baie La Croisette Mall. He observed that works are starting with the implementation for segments five and six, which span over some 7,4 km.
This project, he underlined, is a public-private partnership which will greatly contribute to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change as trees which will be planted will help to increase the carbon sink. The embellishment works will take into account the cultural and historical aspects of each region, as well as the micro-climate along the motorway so as to determine the exact type of plants to be used for the project, he stated.
Minister Ramano also stressed on the importance of maintenance works after the implementation of the project, and of guaranteeing road safety at all times. He further appealed to the private sector for its positive contribution so as to effectively implement this greening and embellishment project.
For his part, Minister Hurreeram pointed out that this project is a challenging one, which can nonetheless be realised. He underscored that the possibility of setting-up a cycling lane alongside the motorway will be taken into consideration and spoke about the importance of taking into account the micro-climate so as to determine what types of plants are to be used in each region. He also seized this opportunity to reiterated the support of his Ministry for the good implementation of this project.
