Male/New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday handed over to Maldivian authorities three completed major development projects built under the Indian Line of Credit facility in Addu City. These include a land reclamation project, a beach protection project and the Hankendi Bridge project.
The completion of the projects was inaugurated by the EAM Jaishankar, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Minster of Construction and Infrastructure of Maldives Abdullah Mutalib. The projects were funded under the Exim Bank of India's Line of Credit.
During the ceremony held at Addu High School in Hithadhoo, a video presentation highlighted the project's scope, including the addition of 190 hectares of land to Addu City. This includes 80 hectares added to Hithadhoo, 76 hectares to Maradhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo, and four hectares to Hankede.
The ceremony also saw the inauguration of the Hankede Bridge, which connects Gaukedi and Maradhoo. This marks the first bridge constructed on an island outside the capital, Malé. With the reclamation of the Hithadhoo Zone 2 area, Hithadhoo now boasts the largest artificial beach in the Maldives.
Under the Addu Beach Protection Project, an area of 7 km was riveted and protected. The government noted that the Addu reclamation project opens the entire city to tourism and economic activities. It also said that this project will bring about positive changes to the housing problem faced by the residents of the city, edition.mv.news reported.
Furthermore, the Addu Four Lane Detour Link Road or Hankede Bridge is a road developed in the southwest of Hankendi island allocated for tourism development. The bridge development project commenced in 2021 and was developed with four lanes.
With the completion of the project, the government has now held the groundbreaking ceremony of Hankendi Integrated Tourism Development Project. This is one of the biggest tourism development projects to be undertaken in Addu City. The project will develop 1,041 rooms with 2,082 tourist beds.
The Hankendi Bridge project was in conjunction with the city's road construction project, which is also nearing completion now. The contracts of the projects were awarded to AFCONS, the Indian company that has also been awarded the contract to build the Thilamale’ Bridge. The entire project is valued at USD 77,229.
Additionally, three islands, totaling 8.3 hectares, were reclaimed in the lagoon as part of efforts to expand tourism in Addu City. Revetment work was also completed along the Hithadhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Link Road area to protect the island.
These two projects, valued at USD 80 million (MVR 1.2 billion), were financed under the Indian Exim Bank's Line of Credit Facility.
Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, Abdulla Muththalib, emphasized that coastal protection is a significant component of the strategic vision for Addu City's development.
He also noted that the Hankede Bridge is a significant project in the efforts to boost tourism in Hankede. Minister Muththalib further highlighted that the ongoing road construction project in Addu City, which is nearing completion, will address long-standing flooding issues in the islands.
He expressed confidence that the collaborative efforts between the Maldivian government and India will elevate Addu City's development to new heights.
During his visit to Addu City, the final stop of his three-day trip, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two countries, describing the Maldives as a "key partner" of India.
He highlighted India's commitment to supporting the Maldives through various projects, noting that India has implemented projects worth USD 220 million in Addu City over the past two to three years.
This reflects India's prioritization of Maldives regional development, he said.
He noted that 65 projects are currently being implemented in the Maldives under Indian assistance, 12 of which are in Addu City. He expressed satisfaction with the completion of five of these projects and their successful implementation.
He said that the relationship between India and Maldives is a modern one that will bring delightful changes to the lives of the people. He made the statement during the ceremony held to mark the completion and handover of the Hankendi Bridge project and the land reclamation project of Addu City.
Jaishankar remarked that the relationship between India and Maldives has transformed into a modern relationship, that makes way for development that changes the lives of people.
Noting that the projects handed over will facilitate domestic transportation and create more job opportunities in Addu City, Jaishankar stated that the project will also lead to economic growth with increase in business opportunities in the city. He also highlighted the Thilamale’ Bridge project will symbolise the strong relationship between India and Maldives and noted some of the major developmental projects being implemented in the Maldives with Indian assistance.
He noted that India gives high priority to human resource development along with infrastructure development.
UNI RN