At Midlands: Mountain Blown to Line the Bagatelle Dam

On the road to Midlands, a billboard stands prominently. It says "blasting in progress." The mountain, where we dug, using explosives, excavation of the rock, took places a rust color. The proportions of the fenced yard and imposed bans, are impressive in the corner surrounded by trees.

"This is part of the Bagatelle Dam is there," said a source familiar with the matter. "The tests showed that the basaltic rock this place has a special chemical. Stress tests also revealed that it has the strength properties of high pressure required to serve the rock-filled dam Bagatelle, "she adds. The operation involves removing rock Midlands for transport to the site of Bagatelle Dam. For the purposes of this exercise, the largest amount of explosives in the Indian Ocean would be with us, it seems. The location where these materials are stored is kept secret.Especially, says one source, "with Somali pirates lurking in the vicinity."

The construction of the Bagatelle Dam was stopped because of the porosity of the soil. After this discovery, the Chinese manufacturer China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) brought in consultants to test and find a solution. It was then a question of constructing a reinforced concrete structure in the basement of the dam to prevent leakage. On 4 October, the Council of Ministers took note of the defects found in the original design of the dam.

He then gave its approval for changes be made to improve it. The Council of Ministers also claimed that the State intends to continue looking for the "gross negligence". And that the consultant would be liable for the additional costs claimed by the contractor work.Announcement was also made that the Mauritian government had again asked the Chinese government for a new loan to complete the project Bagatelle Dam in 2016. What Rashid Beebeejaun corroborated in Parliament in November. He said that the Bagatelle Dam, which was to be completed in December 2014, will not be ready until December 2016. And with changes in the design, the project cost was revised to Rs 5.4 billion against Rs 3.3 billion planned.

The laying of the foundation stone of Bagatelle Dam, located near the village of Côte-d'Or, was made in March 2012. Once ready, it will provide water to the regions of Port Louis and Plaines Wilhems low, and part of Black River. Along 2500 meters, the dam will have a capacity of 2.4 million m3 of water. It is made by the Water Resources Unit of the Department of Public Services. The work was entrusted to the CIWE in association with the firm Servansingh Jadav and Partners Consulting Engineers (Mauritius).