PM: Mauritius to remain in control of Agalega’s airstrip and jetty

Mauritius will be the sole responsible for the management of the airstrip and the jetty in Agalega.

The undertaking came from PM Pravind Jugnauth in Parliament after he was pressed for questions on controversial works on the island.

“It will not be managed by India as many claim,” he said, adding works – expected to be completed by September 2023 – also include the construction of 50 houses for residents.

The statement follows local and international claims that India was “secretly building a 3 km airstrip and two large jetties designed at Agalega for military purposes.”

While the complete Mauritius/India deal has been kept secret, the works – worth US$87million – are being handled by Afcons, the engineering and construction arm of India’s Shapoorji Pallonji Group.

These works have been “delisted” from Environment Impact Assessment rules.