New road opens at Les Mamelles |13 March 2020

Unveiling the plaque to mark the official opening of the new road (Photo: Joena Meme)

A new road has opened at Les Mamelles that connects areas in the upper district with another road that passes behind Seychelles Breweries at Le Rocher.

The Baroza road was unveiled yesterday afternoon in the presence of Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, who also holds the portfolio for Home Affairs, Local Government, Youth, Sports, Culture, and Risk & Disaster Management; the high commissioner of India Dalbir Singh Suhag; the principal secretary for local government, Marie Celine Jeannevol; the district administrator for Les Mamelles, Doris Kiwali; school children and some residents of the district.

The 120-metre long road will be an alternative secondary road that connects Le Rocher to La Misère. Its construction began in 2019 and was executed under the high impact community development projects funded under India’s grant assistance.

The project, which is still in its first phase, costs R35 million (US $2.5 million) for the 33 projects spread across various ministries and departments including local government, primary and secondary schools and department of culture on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

“Today someone from Brillant or Le Rocher can be connected to La Misère road without going round along the east coast,” noted DA Kiwali.

The project was divided into three parts with the local government bearing the cost of the first two phases and the Indian high commission paying the last phase at a cost of R495,260. Work was done by Allied Builders and was taken up on the basis of urgent requirement for the Les Mamelles district.

She added that the road will be useful not only as a link to other roads but as a potential alternative for the inhabitants of Les Mamelles.

“The project will not only improve the transportation and circulation problem but also be a lifeline for the Les Mamelles and Le Rocher community, providing them motorable access for their daily movements especially for the school children and in case of emergencies,” said the Indian high commissioner in his address to the attendees.

He further noted that the project will also lead to better handling of traffic congestion in this area.

“I would like to mention that India is deeply committed to cooperating with Seychelles and working untiringly towards capacity building and development and touching the lives of Seychellois across all the districts and making a positive difference through our humble and noble initiatives,” ended the high commissioner.

Christophe Zialor