Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated the Male’-Thilafushi link bridge developed under the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project (GMCP) will serve as a fitting tribute to the strong bilateral partnership between India and the Maldives. The foreign minister made the remarks after the Maldivian government signed an agreement with India-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited to construct the bridge under GMCP.
In a tweet, Minister Shahid said he was delighted that the contract for GMCP has been signed, calling it a defining moment in the development journey of the Maldives. Noting this is the largest infrastructure development project to be executed in the Maldives, the foreign minister said it will stand as an enduring tribute to the strong partnership between India and the Maldives. He thanked the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar for supporting the development journey of the Maldives.
Responding to the tweet by Minister Shahid, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar stated India is proud to be a key development partner of the Maldives. He added India is deeply committed to the national progress of the Maldives.
Under the contract for GMCP, Afcons Infrastructure is tasked with bridging the link between Male' and Thilafushi, which includes a 6.7-kilometre sea crossing link from the southwest corner of Male', running adjacent to the south shore of Villimale’, then along the southern periphery of the reclaimed island of Gulhifalhu and terminating on the reclaimed island of Thilafushi. The project scope includes the construction of three navigation bridges, viaducts, and on-grade roads. The project is funded through a USD 400 million line of credit from Indian EXIM Bank and by a USD 100 million grant from the Government of India.
The GMCP is the single-largest infrastructure project in the Maldives and is expected to become a national economic engine, and a lifeline connecting Male' to Villimale', Gulhifalhu, and the Thilafushi Industrial Zone. The bridge and causeway link is also essential for the development of the proposed Gulhifalhu Port, also financed by the Exim Bank of India.