Tourist attraction Mauritius is set for an economic breakthrough. All thanks to the multimillion-dollar Metro Express light rail network.

The project which is the country’s biggest infrastructure investment project is expected to bring vast businesses and employment opportunities when it takes off.

The new rail system covers 26km and will decongest traffic jams by linking the capital Port Louis and the small towns of Curepipe and Rose Hill. The project has an estimated cost of MUR18.9 Billion ($525million).

The railway consists of nineteen rail stations and four interchanges.

The Indian government provided MUR 9.9billion ($275) grant to Mauritius for this project with the remaining MUR 9billion ($250million) coming from other financial investors. The project is being constructed by Indian Company, Larsen and Tourbro.

The project is being managed by Metro Express Ltd, a local transport company in Mauritius. The project is expected to make a profit for the country by the year 2022.

The Metro Express light rail project is a flagship project of Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and is aimed at to luring more tourists and investors the country.

The administration is prioritizing on ease of travelling in Mauritius’ towns.

As well as boosting the already thriving tourism sector of Mauritius, the rail project will improve the lives of an estimated 1.2 million people.

“This is the biggest project ever undertaken in our country,” Jugnauth said.

Culled from cajnewsafrica.com