India grants MVR 100 million to expand Maldives' RTL ferry network

India has signed a MVR 100 million grant agreement to support the expansion of the Maldives' Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry network, as part of ongoing efforts to improve inter-island connectivity.

The agreement was signed on Sunday at a ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry.

The agreement was signed by Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel, and the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, G. Balasubramanian.

The funding will go towards the construction of 12 new ferries under the RTL expansion programme launched by the previous administration.

Deputy Transport Minister Ibrahim Yasir, who oversees the RTL project, told Mihaaru News that Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) is currently in talks with India over the construction of the vessels, although no final decision has been made.

As part of the ongoing rollout, RTL services are expected to launch in Raa Atoll june, followed by Baa atoll the following month.

So far, 81 islands in the north and far south of the country have been connected by RTL services. A total of 27 ferries have been delivered 10 from Al Shaali Marine and 17 from Gulf Craft, the two companies contracted for vessel construction.

The government plans to expand services later this year to Zone Four (Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu and Thaa atolls) and Zone Five (Male' Atoll, Alif Alif, Alif Dhaalu and Vaavu atolls). Once complete, the project aims to link the entire country via a fleet of 80 high-speed ferries.

Transport Minister Ameen described the Indian grant as an important step in realizing President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s goal of strengthening the national transport network.