Maldives govt says India funded Thilamale bridge work has gathered speed
More resources will be mobilised in the coming months, and the work will continue at an even faster pace, Thoaam said.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
According to the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure, the pace of construction of the Thilamale Bridge has been progressing faster under the current government as compared to the previous government.
Construction Ministry State Minister Ibrahim Thoaam said this in an X post, updating on the progress of the bridge connecting Male to Thilafushi.
According to Thoaam:
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7% of the project has been completed in the four months since the change of government
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The last government completed 29% of the project in 25 months
He added that two more jack-up platforms for the project are under construction and will reach the work site by the end of this month.
More resources will be mobilised in the coming months, and the work will continue at an even faster pace, Thoaam said.
The Thilamale Bridge project is funded by a loan from Exim Bank of India. The work is being carried out by India's Afcons.
Under the previous government, the project progress was slower than scheduled. It also drew heavy criticism on the Solih regime.
Construction Minister Abdulla Muthalib has said that the priority of the current government will be to carry out the work as per schedule. As per the schedule, the work of connecting the bridge from Male to Gulhi will be completed by March 2026.
Important statistics of the Thilamale Bridge:
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Total cost: USD 500 million (MVR 6.2 billion)
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USD 100 million (MVR 1.55 billion) is India's free aid
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Experts from Turkey, Germany and Australia are also involved in the bridge
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The project was lent by Exim Bank of India
