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M4 motorway project sparks debate in Parliament over cost and environmental concerns
via Le Mauricien6 min read
The proposed M4 motorway, a 29.7-kilometer project connecting Forbach and Bel-Air, is set to begin construction before the end of 2026, with work expected to last 30 months. National Infrastructure Minister Ajay Gunness announced the timeline during a site visit with India's High Commissioner to Mauritius, Anurag Srivastava, and representatives from Exim Bank of India. The government views the M4 as essential for developing the East and managing increased traffic. However, Member of Parliament Joanna Bérenger has challenged the 10.8 billion rupee expenditure, citing difficult budgetary conditions and questioning the project's environmental studies and economic justification. The M4 aims to provide a direct link between the North and Eastern towns, featuring a dual two-lane carriageway. An extension to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is also under consideration. Gunness asserts that all regulatory requirements, including environmental considerations, will be met. During a parliamentary session on July 21, Bérenger questioned Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Navin Ramgoolam about the project, highlighting the contradiction between calls for public spending rationalization and the significant investment in the M4, especially given the need to absorb additional social expenses like old-age pensions. She also raised concerns that environmental assessments still need completion or validation, despite the initial route being revised to avoid sensitive areas lik
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Living Change, founded by Charlene Van Zyl and Patricia Gooden-Husbands, is set to open the Dementia Wellness Hub on September 1st in Roches-Brunes, Mauritius. This initiative aims to provide a centralized and holistic solution for dementia care, addressing the current fragmented system. The founders won the Innovation Challenge prize in 2025 from La Turbine for their vision. Charlene Van Zyl emphasizes that dementia is not a normal part of aging, and a lack of awareness often delays diagnosis and access to support. The hub will offer validation therapies, cognitive activities, and psychological support under one roof. It will collaborate with Cambridge Cognition to implement Cantap, a digital tool for early cognitive screening to accelerate diagnosis and specialist referrals. Beyond medical care, the project seeks to alleviate the economic and emotional burden on families and the workforce by training staff in person-centered care and integrating digital screening, thereby reducing caregiver burnout and improving productivity. Supported by the Ministry of Health and private sector experts, this multisectoral approach offers a scalable model for a resilient and sustainable care economy in Mauritius. Charlene Van Zyl highlights the global impact of dementia, with 57 million people currently living with the condition and an estimated 130 million cases expected worldwide within 25 years. She stresses the importance of seeing the person beyond the diagnosis, stating that a diagno
The International Nelson Mandela Day celebration, held at the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture in La-Tour-Koenig, emphasized the enduring relevance of the former South African president's values in addressing contemporary challenges. Deputy Prime Minister Arianne Navarre-Marie, the guest of honor, highlighted justice, human dignity, and reconciliation, stating that Mandela's legacy remains highly pertinent. She noted that his 27 years of imprisonment did not diminish his commitment to justice, equality, and fundamental rights. Instead, he chose national reconciliation, preventing his country from succumbing to a spirit of revenge. Navarre-Marie recalled attending Mandela's speech at the National Assembly on September 12, 1998, where political divisions disappeared as she perceived his words as those of a man whose ideals of justice and faith in human dignity were unyielding despite years in prison. She asserted that Mandela's journey demonstrates that true courage involves not only fighting injustice but also rebuilding a nation through dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect. She urged Mauritians to preserve this legacy amid new social challenges, concluding with Mandela's quote: "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb," signifying that the defense of human rights, social justice, and dignity is a continuous commitment. The event, organized by the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture and the National Human Rights
Must ReadMauritius has become the 70th signatory of the Artemis Accords, joining as the seventh African nation in this international framework for the peaceful, safe, and sustainable exploration and use of outer space. The accession was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research and the Bureau of African Affairs of the United States Department of State. This agreement is expected to open new avenues for scientific and technological cooperation, aligning with Mauritius' national priorities. This move follows Mauritius' ongoing efforts to develop its space sector, notably since the launch of its first nanosatellite, MIR-SAT1, on June 22, 2021. The country has since strengthened international partnerships and developed the Mauritius Space Strategy 2036, a roadmap for the national space sector's development. The Artemis Accords, based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, promote peaceful, transparent, and responsible space exploration, encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration among participating nations. Mauritius' adherence is a strategic choice, aiming to solidify its position as a credible and forward-looking actor in space. This integration will provide access to an international network, foster scientific and technological exchanges, and offer essential space data for national priorities such as maritime surveillance, marine ecosystem protection, cyclone monitoring, and climate change resilience. For a sm