Male’, Maldives –The major project to build a bridge between the capital Male’ city and Thilafushi has been decided to be given to Afcons Infrastructure Limited of India.
Local Media outlet “Adhadhu” reports that the government has decided to give another major project of Maldives to India’s Afcons Infrastructure Limited. However, no official announcement has been made yet. The Planning Ministry informed this week that it would take approximately 10 days to hand over the project to a company.
According to the information received by ‘The Times of Addu’, four large Indian infrastructure companies, with prior experience in the construction of similar projects, technical expertise and ability, as well as financial strength have been prequalified by the Exim Bank of India, and will be participating in this tender issued by the Ministry of Finance, Government of Maldives.
The Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) includes a 6.7 km bridge and causeway network connecting Male, Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi and as per the current government this would be a national economic engine and lifeline connecting Hulhumale’, Hulhule’ and Male’ with the proposed Gulhifalhu Port and the Thilafushi Industrial Zone.
The project is being financed through a USD 400 million loan from EXIM Bank of India and with an additional USD 100 million grant from the Indian government. The agreement between EXIM Bank of India and the Maldivian government was signed on October 12, 2020. EXIM Bank informed that this loan would include a 5-year moratorium and a 20-year repayment period for the Maldivian government.
The new bridge includes three navigation bridges of 140 meter main span across the deep channel between each island, 1.41 km of marine viaduct in deep water, 2.32 km marine viaduct in shallow water or on land, and 2.96 km of at-grade roads. Bus terminals are also planned on each island near the junctions with the mainline and the project will use solar power for road lighting, navigation lighting, deck cell lighting, CCTV and lighting on sign gantry and architectural lighting.
Along with this, the government also signed an agreement with Afcons to develop the roads and establishing a drainage system for all roads of Addu City, except Feydhoo district, on February 21, 2021. This project is set to be completed within 24 months.
