Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has stated on-site works of the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project (GMCP) will begin next month.
Minister of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Akram Kamaluddin said the project to link Male’, Villimale’, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi via a bridge is well underway, with work currently ongoing in survey and other technical components. Akram said work is also underway on preparing the site for the project, noting the site in Male’ is being developed in Male’ Industrial Village. He added on-site works of the project are expected to commence in February.
Under the contract for GMCP, Indian-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited 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.