Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has advised vessels to be alert for the ongoing fieldwork at the site of the Greater Male' Connectivity Project (GMCP).
The transport ministry stated platforms have been established in various parts of the area as part of the work to construct the bridges linking Male' City and Thilafushi. The ministry urged vessels to travel at a safe distance from the platforms in order to avoid hindrance of work.
Currently, a geotechnical survey is being conducted at the site prior to placing the bridge columns on land and the sea bed.
Under the contract for GMCP, Indian-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited is tasked with bridging the link between Male' and Thilafushi, which includes a 6.7km sea crossing link from the southwest corner of Male', running adjacent to the south shore of Villimale', then along the southern periphery of the Gulhifalhu and terminating on Thilafushi. The scope of the project includes the construction of three navigation bridges, viaducts, and on-grade roads.
The project is funded through a USD 400 million line of credit from Exim Bank of India and by a USD 100 million grant from the Government of India.
The GMCP is the single-largest infrastructure project to be conducted in the Maldives and is expected to become a national economic engine, and a lifeline connecting Male' to Villimale', Gulhifalhu, and the Thilafushi Industrial Zone.