Two Letters of Intent for the grant assistance offered by the Government of India to Mauritius for the implementation of the Metro Express project were exchanged, yesterday, by the High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, Mrs. Nandini Singla, and the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr. Nayen Koomar Ballah, during a ceremony held in Port-Louis.
A Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the first cluster of the Community Development Projects under the High Impact Community Development projects for which Mauritius is beneficiary of Indian Government assistance, was also signed.
In a statement, the Indian High Commissioner underlined that India has been offering its support to Mauritius for the implementation of key infrastructure projects such as the New Supreme Court, the New ENT Hospital, including other significant ones in the pipeline such as the new Civil Service College, the Police Academy and the new Forensic Science Lab.
Mrs Singla emphasised that she is delighted to support the Metro Express project which she stressed, is today making a significantly positive impact on the quality of life of all Mauritians. She informed that a grant assistance of USD 10 Million is being offered for the Rose-Hill- Réduit segment along with USD 25 Million for the Réduit – Côte d’Or segment. A total of USD 1 Billion is being catered by the Indian Government for this project, out of which 30% is being offered as a grant to Mauritius, she recalled.
Furthermore, the Indian High Commissioner underpinned the intent of her Government to bring Indian assistance to citizens by improving their lives in a direct way through the implementation of small Community Development Projects.
She indicated that a budget of Rs 400 Million has been allocated for more than 100 projects to be executed across Mauritius and Rodrigues. Today, she added, we signed the MoU for the first five projects, which address one of the crucial needs of the country, that is, a change to healthy lifestyle, and the promotion of wellbeing and fitness. Sports infrastructure namely soccer pitches, volleyball pitches and jogging tracks will be constructed in Goodlands, Mare Tabac, Pamplemousses, Flacq and Port-Louis, she informed.
On that note, High Commissioner Singla expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth for identifying meaningful projects which will benefit all citizens.
