President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced four atolls in the south will be connected by the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) before the end of the year. He made the remarks delivering the Presidential Address at the Parliament of Maldives.
In his address, President Solih highlighted that development and its benefits must be distributed equally all across the country, adding it can only be done with a reliable and secure transportation system. The president noted the economic engine that connects one island to another, connecting one atoll to another, and runs simultaneously throughout the country is the RTL transportation system which connects the entire Maldives by land, sea, and air. As such, he announced Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City will be connected by the RTL transportation system by the end of the year.
The government aims to connect the whole country via the RTL transportation system. The National Public Ferry Network provided via RTL is a large-scale project that introduces efficient, affordable, and convenient passenger and cargo ferry services to all administrative islands of the country. In line with the Decentralisation Act, it aims to facilitate inclusive regional development by connecting people and services, accelerating social and economic growth, improving efficiency in the delivery of public services, and improving mobility and accessibility for all citizens in all areas of the nation. The government aims to connect all Maldivian islands using the ferry network by the end of 2023. RTL ferry service will be provided in six zones with 82 vessels reaching 188 ferry terminals.