Mauritius may be a step closer to realizing its light rail project, which aims to link capital city Port Louis and residential hub Curepipe.

According to reports in the Indian press, the government of Mauritius has approached the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the project that will cover over 37 km from the capital city to the centre of the country.

This was indicated by DMRC officials, who also said that a preliminary meeting has been held between senior Metro officials and Joyker Nayeck, Deputy High Commissioner in the Mauritius Embassy.

Stating it could be premature to comment in-depth on the project, the DMRC representatives indicated that officials from the Mauritius High Commission are keen to understand the technology already deployed successfully for the Delhi Metro.

The senior official added that the DMRC has the expertise to develop Metro networks in any terrain now – underground, overground or underwater. Thus, in case the Mauritius government decides to take help from the DMRC, it is well-equipped to come to their assistance.

Nayeck confirmed that his government was in “exploratory talks” with several Indian companies over the project, and that DMRC is “one of them”.

However, he also noted that no contracts have been awarded at the moment as the procurement policies in Mauritius are still not fixed.

Nayeck stressed that Mauritius wishes to develop a light rail, which will be lower than the Delhi Metro, and would be constructed between Port Louis and Curepipe.

A senior official in the Mauritius Embassy said that talks were on with companies in both India and China.

The official added, on condition of anonymity, that since Mauritius is friendly with both nations, it is looking at both prospects to decide which will be the best choice for the Mauritian light rail network.

Coming to the DMRC, the agency behind the successfully implemented and soundly functioning Delhi Metro project has sound credentials to win the light rail project.

If the Mauritius light rail project were to be awarded to DMRC, it would not be the first foreign management consulting project to be undertaken by the autonomous body.

DMRC has already distinguished itself on the global stage by providing management consulting services to the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit system in Indonesia.

Awarded in 2012, it was DMRC’s first foreign project, and was followed soon after by an agreement with the Bangladesh government in 2013 to help build the Dhaka Metro.

Besides, adding another feather to its cap, DMRC was also invited by the Kuwait government earlier this year to act as a consultant for the proposed Metro system in Kuwait City.

Source: Indian Express

Image (Delhi Metro): The government of Mauritius has approached the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the project that will cover over 37 km from the capital city to the centre of the country, according to reports in the Indian press.

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