India, Maldives sign pact on Greater Male Connectivity Project

India-Maldives signed the contract for Greater Male Connectivity Project. The commencement of the largest ever infrastructure project in Maldives is likely to strengthen India's bilateral relations.

New Delhi:In a major boost to connectivity infrastructure, the Government of Maldives and Afcons Infrastructure Limited- a Mumbai based company on Thursday signed the contract for the Greater Male Connectivity Project. Maldivian Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer and High Commissioner of India to Maldives H.E Sunjay Sudhir were present during the signing of the contract.

Taking to Twitter, the foreign minister of Maldives, Abdullah Sahid said, "Delighted that the contract for the Greater Male' Connectivity - Male' to Thilafushi Link Project has been signed between @MoNPHImv & Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. This is a defining moment in the development journey of the Maldives". Funded under the Indian Grant and Line of Credit, it is the largest-ever infrastructure project in the Maldives.

"Constructed with financial support from India, the largest infrastructure project to be executed in Maldives will stand as an enduring tribute to the strong Maldives- India partnership. Thank you, PM Narendra Modi and EAM Dr S Jaishankar for supporting our development journey," tweeted Sahid.

Greater Male’ Connectivity –Male’ to Thilafushi Link Project is a 6.7 km sea crossing link from the southwest corner of Male’, running adjacent to the south shore of Villingili, then along the southern periphery of reclaimed land on Gulhifalhu, and terminating on land at Thilafushi.

The scope of the project includes the construction of three navigation bridges, viaducts and on grade roads. The project is funded through a 400 million dollar line of credit from Indian EXIM Bank and by a 100 million dollar grant from the government of India.