Maldives’ Muizzu hails Greater Male Connectivity Project, says will prioritise projects with India

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has described the Thilamalé Bridge as a landmark infrastructure project symbolising the close, enduring relationship between the Maldives and India.Officially known as the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP), the Thilamale Bridge is the largest infrastructure initiative in the the Maldives, serving as a cornerstone of bilateral relations between India and the Maldives. The project is financed through a $500 million Indian assistance package ($100 million grant + $400 million concessional Line of Credit).Muizzu made the remarks during a special media briefing on National Engineers' Day, following an afternoon walk across the newly connected bridge segment from Malé to Vilimalé.According to an official statement by the president’s office, Muizzu underscored the special priority accorded by the Indian government, particularly PM Narendra Modi, to the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP), which connects Malé, Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi.He expressed “sincere gratitude” to Modi, the Indian government and Indian High Commissioner G Balasubramanian. With the two islands now fully connected, Muizzu noted that this milestone was made possible through the dedicated efforts of technical teams from both countries, and thanked all those involved.The president expressed optimism that, maintaining the current momentum, the entire project would be completed within a year, serving as a major catalyst for development across the Greater Malé Area.Highlighting his Administration's focus on accelerating crucial nationwide initiatives, Muizzu remarked that the progress on the bridge reflects this commitment.“He observed that several major ventures had stalled or faced significant bottlenecks prior to his term, but have since gained renewed momentum. In this regard, he noted that within a short period since assuming office, his Administration expedited and completed key pending projects, including the Velana International Airport terminal and Hanimaadhoo Airport,” said the statement..Muizzu reaffirmed his government’s resolve to prioritise vital infrastructure, emphasising that projects reflecting the close partnership between India and the Maldives will continue to receive dedicated backing to further strengthen bilateral ties.Balasubramanian, who participated in the walk, also spoke to the media, stating that the GMCP is one of India's largest-scale and most comprehensive infrastructure development projects abroad. He expressed pride in seeing it take shape in the Maldives, adding that its eventual completion will serve as a transformative asset for the Maldivian people.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.