Addu City, Maldives —The consultancy work to develop Gan International Airport in the southernmost atoll, Addu City has begun.
A team from Airport Authority of India (AAI) arrived in Maldives for a 4 day trip yesterday to proceed with the consultancy regarding the development of the Addu International Airport.
The budget for this project is USD 17 million and it is being acquired through Line of Credit from India Exim Bank.
Under this project, the government plans to expand the airport terminal establish, build a new air traffic control tower, change the fuel station and develop the airport runway. The current Gan International Airport terminal will be upgraded into an international standards which consists of duty free shops, restaurants and lounge services.
The government also aims to build a separate route to go to the airport, upgrading cargo services and establishing solar panels in the airport.
The Economic Minister of Maldives, Fayyaz Ismail stated that the development of economic sectors in the southern atolls will reflect in the nation’s economy.
It is absolutely necessary to develop the tourism, fisheries and other sectors in the southern area to widen the economy. The construction work of this project [Gan Airport development project] will begin today.
Minister Fayyaz
Sources inform that the survey team aims to complete their work within the upcoming three days and assign the project to a construction team to commence the project.
The incumbent Government of Maldives has pledged on several occasions to develop the southernmost atoll, Addu City, which includes Road development project assigned to an Indian company as well. While the road development project is set to commence, the Government is now working on assigning the land reclamation project of Addu City to a company.
