- Govt to link the two islands via a bridge
- Plan will be pursued after research
- Survey is being conducted
The government is contemplating plans to build a bridge to link the capital Male to the suburban island Villimale which would make it the second over-water bridge connecting the capital Male to the two suburbs, a senior minister said Monday.
The landmark project to build a over-water bridge that would connect the capital Male to the reclaimed suburb Hulhumale and the airport island is currently ongoing.
The bridge dubbed China-Maldives Friendship bridge is being financed with USD126 million in grant aid and a concessionary loan from China along with USD12.6 million from the state budget.
The over water Male-Hulhumale Bridge will stretch out to 1.39 kilometers in length and 20 meters in width.
In an exclusive interview with Avas, national economic council chair Ahmed Zuhoor said president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom during his three year tenure has managed to revive the country's flailing economy and spearheaded unprecedented development in the archipelago.
Zuhoor explained that the president is considering to link Villimale and Male via a bridge as part of his socioeconomic expansion plans for the remainder of his term and beyond if re-elected.
He confirmed that the government was currently conducting research into the project.
"We are expecting that connecting Male' and Villimale' through a bridge and building an international harbor in Thilafushi will see the whole area inter-connected. The entire belt would be completely transformed. We are conducting research for the bridge between Male' and Villimale'," Zuhoor added.
Zuhoor did not divulge further details of the second bridge but said the president will only be advised on the feasibility of the project after the necessary research and surveys are completed.
