New Delhi: The Maldives has reached a major milestone in its infrastructure development with the completion of the first segment of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP), a major India backed initiative aimed at transforming transport links across the Greater Malé region.
The completed section includes a 2 kilometre bridge connecting Malé and Vilimalé. On August 30, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu walked across the newly completed bridge, marking a significant moment for the island nation. The opening of the section also enabled people to travel directly between the two islands on foot for the first time, reducing reliance on boat services.
The bridge forms part of the ambitious 6.74 kilometre GMCP, which is designed to connect Malé, Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi through an integrated network of bridges, causeways and roads.
The project was first envisaged under an agreement between India and the Maldives in 2021. It is being constructed by India’s Afcons Infrastructure and supported through Indian financial assistance, including a $400 million line of credit provided through the Export Import Bank of India and a $100 million grant.
Once completed, the connectivity network is expected to significantly improve transportation between the islands while supporting economic activity, logistics and urban development across the Greater Malé area.
The first bridge segment is particularly significant for the Maldives, where inter island movement has traditionally depended heavily on boats and other forms of sea transport. The Malé Vilimalé link offers an early glimpse of how the completed project could reshape daily travel and connectivity.
Construction on the remaining sections of the network is continuing.
