Work on Hithadhoo-Maradhoo detour link road begins

Practical work on the detour link road between Addu City’’s districts Hithadhoo and Maradhoo has begun. 

Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar told Sun on Sunday that the work began two days back. 

“Practical work has been initiated. First is the technical work,” he said. 

The project involves building a four-lane detour link road stretching 1.463 kilometers which will link the Hithadhoo’s Gaukede with Maradhoo – to the west of the existing link road in the Hankede area – so that traffic does not pass the area. 

The detour link road is part of the MVR 1.1 billion project to develop roads and drainage systems in Addu contracted to India’s Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. back in February. 

The project is financed under the USD 800 million line of credit from the Exim Bank of India. 

Afcons is required to complete the project within 730 days. 

Afcons has also been awarded the MVR 7.7 billion (USD 500 million) Greater Male’ Connectivity Project – which will link Male’ City with Vilimale', Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi via a 6.7-kilometer bridge. 

The project is financed with grant aid from India and a USD 400 million line of credit from India’s Exim Bank, and is set to the biggest infrastructure development project in Maldives.