India provides MVR 100m aid to Maldives to expand RTL service
The government has been heavily criticized for not being able to maintain the RTL service in a sustainable manner
An agreement to expand RTL services being signed at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
India has provided MVR 100 million in aid to the Maldives to expand the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) service.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel signed on behalf of the Maldivian government. High Commissioner of India to the Maldives G. Balasubramanian, signed on behalf of India. In addition to this, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen signed as the implementing agency.
The agreement was signed under the third phase of the "High Impact Community Development" scheme, which includes 12 projects.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen stated that the government places special priority on establishing a fast ferry system throughout the Maldives that can be used by every citizen. The minister also said that this system would pave the way for the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
An agreement to expand the RTL services has been signed at a time President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has promised to expand the RTL service across all atolls in the Maldives before the end of 2025.
The government has been heavily criticized for not being able to maintain the RTL service in a sustainable manner.
