At this time, Mauritius Government Railways had 146 km (91 mi) of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge) track and 47 locomotives.
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.
[3][4] 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.
[5] On 2 August 2017 it was announced that Larsen & Toubro would be the contractor responsible for constructing the metro network.
[6][7] The first stage, Port Louis to Rose Hill Central, was opened on 10 January 2020.