A first meeting of the Interministerial Committee chaired by the Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Mr Avinash Teeluck, was held, today, in Port Louis, to come up with appropriate regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the safe and secure travel of pilgrims during the different festivals throughout the year.

The Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo; the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Georges Pierre Lesjongard; the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram; and representatives from the Mauritius Police Force, the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit, the Attorney General’s Office, Road Development Authority, and Fire Services were present.

In his address, Minister Teeluck recalled that the Interministerial Committee has been set up following Cabinet’s decision on 17 February 2023 which took note of the incident which occurred at Mare Longue on 16 February 2023 where two pilgrims passed away and several others were injured as a result of an electric shock.

He reassured that the recommendations of the Committee will only establish rules for the safety of those participating in the various pilgrimages and other road users. He stated that two Technical Committees will be set up, one which will work out legal aspects, and another one which will address hazards and dangers.

Consultations with religious leaders and heads of various socio-cultural organisations will also be held in the coming days.

It is expected that the recommendations of the Committee will be presented to cabinet by end March 2023.