(Ecofin Agency) - Last Monday, the Mauritian government unveiled an ambitious railway project named "Metro Express" valued at more than $537 million. The project should help connect the nation’s five main cities.

Works for the first phase of the project which will be carried out by Indian firm Larsen & Toubro, are set to begin next September. During this phase, Port-Louis, the capital, will be linked to Rose-Hill. During the second phase which will be completed in 2021, Rose-Hill will be linked to Curepipe.

According to the nation’s Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, the project will significantly profit the Mauritian economy, reducing costs related to clogging of roads by traffic to about $115 million and those caused by carbon emissions.

The Metro Express project will generate around 5,000 jobs of which 65% for Mauritanians.

Moreover, “the Metro Express will transport 53,800 passengers each day over its first year of activity, a figure which will grow 4% year-to-year. It will be free for elderly people, the disabled, and schoolers from primary, junior and senior high schools but also university students,” highlighted the minister of Transport and Public Infrastructures, Nando Bodha.

Fiacre E. Kakpo