Investigation Urged into Road Construction Irregularities

On November 19, the Terre-Rouge overpass opened to traffic, but plans for a pedestrian bridge remain unfulfilled, raising questions about possible mismanagement. Officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructures and the Road Development Authority (RDA) have called for a thorough investigation into various road construction projects, citing numerous “anomalies” that they believe deserve scrutiny, some of which apparently escaped the notice of the audit office.

Technicians, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from members of the previous government, claim that even their supervisors are aware of the irregularities.

They have appealed to Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger to initiate an in-depth investigation, expressing concern that new Minister Ajay Gunness might be misguided by individuals involved in these troubling projects.

Additionally, they recommended appointing a qualified engineer as the chairman of the RDA to enhance oversight.

Concerns Over Savanne Road Rehabilitation

Reports suggested that a Rs 390 million contract was awarded for the refurbishment of a 7.5-kilometer stretch of Savanne Road, which included upgrading infrastructure.

However, the project was reduced to just 4.5 kilometers after the contract was signed.

According to insiders, this significant change should have gone through the Public Procurement Office (PPO) as mandated by law, which did not occur.

The technicians argued that this lack of adherence to the law has undermined the rights of competing bidders.

Issues with SAJ Bridge and A1-M1 Link Road

The construction project involving a bridge connecting Coromandel and Soreze, including the Pont-Fer-Jumbo overpass, has undergone several modifications.

Initially estimated at around Rs 4 billion, reports indicate that the project’s technical and financial variations have resulted in an increased cost, now totaling Rs 250 million—up from the anticipated Rs 191 million.

Technicians questioned whether the contractor received any preferential treatment in this arrangement.

Missing Foot Bridge at Terre-Rouge Overpass

Despite the allocation of Rs 20 million for the construction of a pedestrian bridge alongside the Terre-Rouge overpass, this vital infrastructure is still non-existent, with pedestrians required to navigate a signalized crosswalk on the highway.

Flawed Ébène Project and Drainage Concerns

At Ébène, a road and overpass project valued at Rs 524 million has reportedly experienced significant deviations from its original plan, notably the absence of drainage systems and sidewalks.

Local residents fearing potential flooding during the heavy summer rains due to these oversights.

Neglect of Maintenance Contracts

The RDA has ongoing contracts with various companies for road maintenance and resurfacing, but reports indicating that many contractors, particularly in the eastern regions like Flacq, have only asphalted roads without constructing the required drainage systems—despite the explicit requirements in their contracts.

Controversial Beaux-Songes Project

The contract for the Vigie-La Brasserie Beaux-Songes project is approximately Rs 1.3 billion.

l’Express sources reveal disputes over price adjustments that should require the contractor to reimburse the RDA, amounting to around Rs 200 million.

Following a lawsuit, the RDA reportedly opted to change the project team, yet it appears that no reimbursement has occurred since the team transition.

Concerns Over Flic-en-Flac Bypass Construction

Engineers from the RDA are contesting plans to replace a bridge with box culverts in Beaux-Songes.

The original design included a bridge intended to facilitate water flow during heavy rains, yet the contractor proposed less effective prefabricated structures instead.

Engineers are questioning the motivations behind this decision.

St. Julien Bypass Payment Issues

The St. Julien bypass contract, awarded in 2017 for Rs 261 million, has raised red flags.

Audit office reports indicated that Rs 7 million was overpaid to the contractor, with efforts to recover the funds proving unsuccessful due to a lapse in time.

Questions Surrounding National Road Masterplan Strategy

Concerns have emerged regarding the financing and approval of the National Road Masterplan Strategy, prompting technicians to query how the board sanctioned expenditures related to it.

With numerous projects under scrutiny, the call for accountability reflects a growing concern about transparency and governance in road construction practices in the region.

Source: l’Express