$1bn Neotown new steps

Les Salines Development Ltd has applied for an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) licence for the construction and operation of the proposed $1 billion Neotown project at Les Salines in Port Louis. 

The company has also already applied for a Marina EIA licence. 

This was confirmed to NEWSNOW yesterday by a spokesperson of the Ministry of Housing and Lands and a reliable source at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. The public has up to April 27 to consult and comment on the application filed at the Ministry of Environment.

The Neotown project from Patel Engineering (India) has been described as a “mega scandal” by Leader of the Opposition Paul Berenger, who has pledged to produce a “full dossier” and a Private Notice Question (PNQ) at the National Assembly.

According to sources at both ministries no opposition has yet been expressed on record against the project from any quarter. 

According to the EIA application, a solid waste management and disposal plan will be implemented as soon as the project is in operation in order to ensure proper segregation, collection, recycling, storage and disposal of waste. 

“Neotown will generate additional trips which will increase traffic flow on the adjacent Les Salines road whose capacity would be exceeded when the Neotown project approaches maturity.

“Widening of the Les Salines road would be required over the existing road reserve. With appropriate mitigation measures and sound environmental management, the operation of the marina would not cause any negative impact on the environment,” promise the promoters in their application.

The $1 billion Neotown aims to reconnect the city to the waterfront and strategically encourage the development of Port Louis on the western coastal side of the M1 Motorway.

The township is being developed within the concept of leisure, culture, business and lifestyle, and encompasses developments ranging from apartments, office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, casinos, entertainment areas, marine gardens, and tourist heritage centres.

Patel Realty has developed two similar projects before, one in Bangalore and a second in Delhi. The Neotown project was officially and publicly launched by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam on March 29 last year.