The Indian government has decided to appoint an Indian company as the Project Implementation Agency for the implementation of the Uthuru Thilafalhu (UTF) Harbor Project in Maldives.

According to several media reports in India, the order for this strategic project was placed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The project which has been awarded to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has to be completed within 24 months.

The cost of the project is estimated at USD 186.3 million (MVR 2.9 billion).

RVNL which was formed in 2003 has only completed works related to railway networks to date, hence the port development in UTF would be a first of its kind for the Indian company.

The Maldives government signed an agreement with the Indian government in February 2021 to develop a port for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard in Uthuru Thilafalhu, in Kaafu atoll.