Asked Modi to expedite Maldives bridge project, pres says

President Mohamed Muizzu said on Friday that he has officially asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the construction of the Greater Male Connectivity Bridge.

The bridge is being constructed by India's Afcons under an aid package consisting of a loan and grant from India. The work has been delayed and the contract was extended by the previous government.

Speaking as a guest on the Baajjaveri Hendhuneh morning show on the occasion of the anniversary of the Voice of Maldives, President Muizzu said he had formally asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the construction of the bridge.

"In the meeting with the Prime Minister on the sidelines [of COP28], I officially said that the bridge project should be accelerated. That would be in the best interest of both countries," he said.

According to the president, he told Modi that if a high-level committee is formed to discuss technical and major issues, the bridge project will be expedited.

"It's now in late 2026, early 2027. So it's going to take two years. I don't think it's going to take that long.

President Muizzu said he is working to change the concept of Greater Male Bridge to the concept of the Sinamale Bridge project, which was undertaken with Chinese grant and loan when he served as the housing minister in former president Abdulla Yameen's government. 

"There are a lot of technical things to expedite. If the leaders of the two countries decide, it will be done. We want to do it," the president said.

The mega infrastructure development project, which is being carried out in Maldives by the last government under the loan and grant assistance of India, has been delayed.

As per the agreement for the Greater Male Connectivity Bridge, it should be connected from Male to Thilafushi by May 17, 2024.

However, the contract was amended on the last day of the previous government and the work is now contracted to be completed by 30 September 2026.

Bridge work schedule as per the original agreement: 

The agreed dates for completion of the works under the revised agreement: