Rail transport in Mauritius
There are no operational long-distance railways in Mauritius. A system existed from the 1860s to the 1960s. In 1956 the Mauritius Government Railways had 146 km (91 mi) of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge) track and 47 locomotives.[1]
With increasing road traffic congestion, plans surfaced in 2009 for a metro system.[2]
Map
- UN Map[3]
Light rail system
Initial plans suggested a 24.9 km line which would relieve pressure on busy roads; it would be supported by a feeder network of buses.[4][5]
The first line would go from the capital at Port Louis to Curepipe, mostly following the trackbed of a former Government railway closed in the 1960s.[6]
On 2 August 2017 it was announced that Larsen & Toubro would be the contractor responsible for constructing the metro network.[7][8]
The first stage, Port Louis to Rose Hill Central, was opened on 10 January 2020. The second stage, to Curepipe, is scheduled to be completed in 2021.
See also
- Economy of Mauritius
- History of rail transport in Mauritius
- Railway stations in Mauritius
- Transport in Mauritius
References
Notes
- Sampson H. (General editor), The Dumpy Book of Railways of the World, Sampson Low, London, 1956, p.168
- "LIGHT RAIL FOR MAURITIUS". Railways Africa. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
- https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/Mauritius.pdf
- "Singapore to support Mauritian Light Rapid Transit plan - Railway Gazette". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- Metro Project
- http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1803414.htm#1803414
- http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/l-t-bags-rs-3375-crore-mauritius-metro-order-117080200570_1.html
- http://www.larsentoubro.com/media/35505/2017-08-02-lt-to-build-light-rail-system-metro-express-in-mauritius.pdf
Further reading
- Robinson, Neil (2009). World Rail Atlas and Historical Summary. Volume 7: North, East and Central Africa. Barnsley, UK: World Rail Atlas Ltd. ISBN 978-954-92184-3-5.