6 Million Ridership Mark of Metro (10 February 2022)

The Honorable Alan Ganoo, Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade,

​Mr. Das Mootanah, CEO of Metro Express Ltd,

Mr. Dev Beekhary, Senior Adviser at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director, Metro Express Ltd,

Mrs. Shakuntala Devi Gujadhar – Nowbuth, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Land Support & Light Rail

Friends from Metro Express Ltd and the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Namaskar, Bon Jour!

A very good morning to all of you!

I am delighted to be part of yet another momentous occasion that commemorates two important milestones of the Metro Express’s journey - completion of two years of commercial operations andthe 6 million ridership mark.

Only a few months ago, we celebrated Metro Express’s crossing 5 million riders- and today, we are celebrating its 6 million ridership. This is a testimony to the popularity of the Metro Express and its fast-growing acceptance with every passing day, as a safe, reliable and fast mode of transport.At this rate, I am sure that before the end of this year, we will celebrate the 10 million ridership mark of the Metro Express with all our Mauritian friends!

In the last one year, I have been a personal witness to the progress of the Metro Express project in Mauritius. It is fast transforming the transport landscape by helping decongest roads, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, bringing down road accidents, and emerging as an important node for economic activities. I am sure that these benefits will be enhanced further, with the completion of the phase connecting Curepipe and Reduit by the end of this year.

Friends,

As you know, the Metro Express project is a flagship project between our two brotherly countries. Why is this so? Because this is the largest development infrastructure development project ever undertaken by India in Mauritius so far- one that has successfully brought back railways after six decades.This is also the first metro project undertaken by the Government of India, anywhere abroad.

A few days ago, the Honourable Prime Minister of Mauritius conveyed to our Prime Minister the happy news that the upcoming Metro station at Reduit would be named after Mahatma Gandhi. We are truly honoured by this decision of the Government of Mauritius and are grateful to Mauritius for such a special gesture.

While the Metro Express Project has been and will remain our signature bilateral project, the upcoming Mahatma Gandhi Station at Reduit will stand tall as a symbol of our uniquely close ties,ties going back in history to when we were not even two independent nations. The Mahatma Gandhi Station will be a testimony to Mahatma Gandhi’s inspirational awakening of the Mauritian aspiration for independence as well as an enduring demonstration of India’s continued support to Mauritius in its developmental journey.

This commitment is evident in the fact that 2022 started with our Prime Minister handing over 956 Social Housing Units and launching the Civil Service College and 8 MW Solar Power Project jointly with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Mauritius. Going forward, we intend to implement more infrastructure projects, including social projects, all across Mauritius.

Our Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations commemorating 75 years of India’s Independence and achievements,embodies this very commitment to share our developmental expertise with Mauritius and stand shoulder-to-shoulder in its developmental journey

So friends, as part of our celebration, we are happy to partner the Government of Mauritius and the Metro Express Limited in a befitting manner today - by presenting our flagship Metro Express project in a unique wrap that showcases our other signature India-Mauritius collaborations namely, the New ENT Hospital, the New Supreme Court and the recently inaugurated 956 Social Housing Units at Dagotiere and Mare Tabac.

This special train will visually demonstrate our decades-long developmental partnership with Mauritius as well as India’s enduring goodwill for Mauritius as well as India’s capabilities in delivering large-scale, quality infrastructure projects at reasonable costs.  I was just tell my Embassy colleagues that that will probably b e the first and last time that I have the honour of participating in such an unique, innovative and attractive event!

Friends,

Before I conclude, let me take this opportunity to thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Mauritius H.E. Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth without whose personal guidance, support and monitoring, this landmark project would not have been implemented so smoothly and successfully.

I also take this opportunity to convey our special thanks to the Hon’ble Minister of  Land Transport and Light Rail and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade H.E. Mr. Alan Ganoo, for ably leading the project and for always being a solid pillar of support for us.

I wish to extend my best wishes to the whole team of Metro Express Ltd, M/s. RITES, M/s. Larsen &Tubro and all the workers and engineers involved in the project for their dedication and hard work, without which this project would not have been possible.

Thank you all and Bonne Journée !

*****