Greater Male Connectivity Project
The Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) is the largest public infrastructure project of Maldives. The project aims to connect the capital city Male with 3 neighbouring islands namely Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi.
Key Points
- GMCP includes construction of a 6.7 km bridge to connect Male with the coral islands (atoll).
- The project comprises of three navigation bridges of 140 m main span across the deep channel between each island, 2.32 km marine through a duct in shallow water or on land, 1.41 km of marine through a duct in deep water, and 2.96 km at-grade roads.
- India through EXIM bank has extended a financial assistance / Line of Credit amounting $400 million. Additionally, India has extended as grant of $100 million for the project.
- Once completed, this project would improve connectivity between the islands, improve trade, tourism, generate employment and ultimately lead to economic development of Maldives.
MoU Signed between India and Maldives for Greater Male Connectivity Project
Recently, India and Maldives signed an MOU for the grant of $100 million for the Greater Male Connectivity Project. The MOU was signed between India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid. It is a part of the $500 million grant by India for the project to Maldives. Rest of the amount of $400 million will also be provided by India as line of credit.
Along with this MOU, 3 other agreements were signed between both the countries cooperation in sports and youth affairs, setting of plant and soil testing labs during the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary to Maldives.
India-Maldives Relations
India and Maldives share friendly relations and India was the first country to recognize the Maldives after its independence in the year 1965. Maldives have a “India First’ policy and reciprocated by the “Neighbourhood First” policy of India. Both the countries are the founding members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which was founded in 1985 and headquartered in Bangladesh.
