NEW DELHI, 27 August 2021, (TON): India and the Maldives signed a contract for the implementation of an Indian-funded connectivity project, described by Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid as the largest infrastructure initiative in the island nation.

Under the Greater male connectivity project (GMCP), a 6.74 km long bridge and carriageway link will be built to connect the capital city of Malé with the contiguous islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.

Authorities said “funded with a $ 100 million grant and a $ 400 million credit line from India, this will be the largest infrastructure project in the Maldives.

The contract for the implementation of the project was signed between the Maldives Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and Afcons Infrastructure Ltd.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Planning and National Infrastructure, Mohamed Aslam, the Minister of Economic Development, Fayyaz Ismail, the Minister of Finance, Ibrahim Ameer, the Minister of Transport, Aishath Nahula, and the High Commissioner of India, Sunjay Sudhir.