Mauritius in Talks with Delhi Metro for Light Rail Project

10 years, 3 months ago - 17 September 2014, The Indian Express

The Mauritius government has approached the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for a ‘light rail’ project that will cover over 37 km from the capital city to the centre of the country.

DMRC officials said a preliminary meeting was held between senior Metro officials and Joyker Nayeck, Deputy High Commissioner in the Mauritius Embassy, on this.

“It is too early to suggest anything. All we can say at the moment is that officials from the Mauritius High Commission are keen on understanding our technology. We have the expertise to develop Metro networks in any terrain now, underground, overground, underwater or any other. In case the Mauritius government decides to take our help, we are well-equipped to do so,” a senior DMRC official said.

Nayeck said his government was in “exploratory talks” with several Indian companies over the project. “DMRC is one of them. However, no contracts have been awarded at the moment. The procurement policies in Mauritius are still not fixed. We wish to develop a light rail, which will be lower than the Delhi Metro,” Nayeck said.

The light rail, Nayeck added, would be constructed between Port Louis and Curepipe.

A senior official in the Mauritius Embassy said on condition of anonymity that talks were on with companies in both India and China. “Since both nations are our friends, we are looking at both prospects to decide which will be the best choice for the Mauritian light rail network,” the official said.

In the past, DMRC has provided management consulting services to the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit system in Indonesia. Awarded in 2012, it was DMRC’s first foreign project.

In 2013, DMRC signed an agreement with the Bangladesh government to help build the Dhaka Metro.

DMRC was also invited by the Kuwait government earlier this year to act as a consultant for the proposed Metro system in Kuwait City.

Not only abroad, DMRC has been instrumental in developing Metro systems in other cities of India. DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal said the corporation has been approached by the new Andhra Pradesh government to undertake a feasibility study and develop a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a Metro network in Vijaywada and other major cities with a population of above 10 lakh. DMRC is also working on the DPR and feasibility report of the Ludhiana Metro network.