India-assisted Greater Male Connectivity Project making ‘steady progress’
| 2024-05-30
A view of the Greater Male Connectivity Project. (Image courtesy: X/@HCIMaldives)
The project will stimulate economic growth and improve ease of living in Maldives, says Indian High Commission
The Greater Male Connectivity Project in Maldives, being implemented with Indian grant assistance and concessional credit, is making steady progress, the Indian High Commission in Maldives has said.
Work on the project was reviewed at the 11th Joint Project Monitoring Committee meeting of the Male-Thilafushi Link (MTL) project was held at the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure held in Male on May 29, 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Maldives Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Abdulla Muththalib and India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar.
“The primary objective of these meetings are to collaboratively monitor progress of the MTL Bridge to ensure successful delivery as per agreed timelines,” the Maldives Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The Indian High Commission in Maldives replied, saying, "Happy to note steady progress of Greater Male Connectivity Project, being implemented with Indian grant and concessional credit @USD 500 mn. GMCP is a transformational infrastructure project which will stimulate economic growth and improve ease of living in Maldives".
The Greater Male Connectivity Project aims to connect Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi islands through a series of bridges, causeways and roads. The project is crucial for the proposed Gulhifalhu Port, and will be a major catalyst for the Maldivian economy in the future through jobs and economic activity.
It is funded through a USD 400 million Line of Credit (LoC) and a USD 100 million grant from India. After a tendering process, the Government of Maldives awarded the contract to AFCONS in August 2021.
India-Maldives Development Cooperation
India and the Maldives have a robust cooperation when it comes to development projects, with India funding many of these through Grant Assistance.
Some major development assistance projects completed by India are:
*Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital
*Maldives Institute of Technical Education (now called the Maldives Polytechnic)
*India-Maldives Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies
*Technology Adoption Programme in Education Sector in Maldives
*National College for Police and Law Enforcement (NCPLE)
India is also supporting the implementation of 65 community development projects worth MVR 360 million in the Maldives. On May 26, 2024, senior officials from India and the Maldives held a detailed review of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) funded by grants from India. The review meeting was co-chaired by High Commissioner Mahawar and Ambassador at Large, Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseer.
India’s support extends to projects related to socio-economic development as well, particularly creation of infrastructure in the education, health or community development sectors. India announced a cash grant of INR 50 crores (MVR 106.8 million) to Maldives in March 2019 for these projects.
At the same time, several important infrastructure and connectivity projects have been taken up through two separate Lines of Credit (LoC) worth USD 800 million and USD 100 million from the Exim Bank of India. These include:
*Water and Sanitation Projects in 34 Islands
*Addu Development Project (Roads and Land Reclamation)
*Expansion of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) facilities in Felivaru and Gemanafushi
*Airport Redevelopment Projects in Hanimaadhoo and Gan
Some major development assistance projects completed by India are:
*Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital
*Maldives Institute of Technical Education (now called the Maldives Polytechnic)
*India-Maldives Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies
*Technology Adoption Programme in Education Sector in Maldives
*National College for Police and Law Enforcement (NCPLE)
India is also supporting the implementation of 65 community development projects worth MVR 360 million in the Maldives. On May 26, 2024, senior officials from India and the Maldives held a detailed review of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) funded by grants from India. The review meeting was co-chaired by High Commissioner Mahawar and Ambassador at Large, Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Naseer.
India’s support extends to projects related to socio-economic development as well, particularly creation of infrastructure in the education, health or community development sectors. India announced a cash grant of INR 50 crores (MVR 106.8 million) to Maldives in March 2019 for these projects.
At the same time, several important infrastructure and connectivity projects have been taken up through two separate Lines of Credit (LoC) worth USD 800 million and USD 100 million from the Exim Bank of India. These include:
*Water and Sanitation Projects in 34 Islands
*Addu Development Project (Roads and Land Reclamation)
*Expansion of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) facilities in Felivaru and Gemanafushi
*Airport Redevelopment Projects in Hanimaadhoo and Gan
Reset in bilateral ties continues as India hands over defence equipment and stores to Maldives
India reaffirms readiness to support the Maldives in capability enhancement for defence preparedness
| 2025-01-09
Maldives defence minister's India visit set to strengthen bilateral cooperation
India is supporting the Maldives with provisioning of defence platforms and assets
| 2025-01-07
India a steadfast supporter of Maldives’ progress, says EAM Jaishankar after talks with Foreign Minister Khaleel
Foreign Minister Khaleel appreciates the timely emergency financial assistance extended by India to Maldives in times of need
| 2025-01-03
Stronger defence and security cooperation at heart of India-Maldives Joint Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership
India and Maldives share common challenges in the Indian Ocean Region which have multi-dimensional implications
| 2024-10-07
India has always played role of first responder for Maldives, says PM Modi after meeting President Muizzu
Government of India extends financial support to Maldives to help it deal with ongoing challenges
| 2024-10-07