HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport Expansion Project by Airports Authority of India

Once again this week, India-Maldives relation has made to the headlines. Just a few days’ prior, the Indian Government had gifted the Maldivian Government $250 million to the Maldives as financial aid to help mitigate the economic and financial losses the country is facing due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Under a collaborated project between the Indian and Maldivian government, direct cargo ferry services between India’s Cochin and Maldives’ HDh. Kulhudhuffushi also commenced on this week.

On the headlines today is the informal start of ‘HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport Expansion Project’ undertaken by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). A team from AAI are currently in Maldives for the initial inspection and assessment of the site, under the sub-project; ‘Detailed Project Report’ (DPR). They have also sat down with government ministers and officials as well as members of Parliament representing constituencies of HDh Atoll.

Photo: High Commission of India in Maldives

‘HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport Expansion Project’ will be considered as one of that largest infrastructure and connectivity projects in the northern Maldives. It includes of an extension of the runway to 2200 metres which will allow A320s, Boeing 737s to land and up-gradation of terminals, fuel farms, cargo terminal, and fire station.

The project is funded by a $800 million Line of Credit provided by the EXIM Bank of India. The project is scheduled to formally begin on early 2021, following the conclusion of the DPR. In addition to the airport expansion, six more projects are being undertaken by the USD 800 million Line of Credit. The Indian government also extended another Line of Credit worth USD 400 million, as well as a grant of MVR 100 million, for the Greater Male' Connectivity Project (GMCP).