Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has revealed that pile testing has been conducted for the permanent pillars of the Thilamale' Bridge. The first marine pile has now been installed and testing has already begun.
Speaking to PSM news, Project Manager Mohamed Jinan, who is in charge of the project on behalf of the planning ministry, said that the installation of the marine pile is in preparation for the installation of the permanent pillars. He said the first pillar of the bridge will be laid very soon and the laying of the permanent pillars will start later this year. In addition, piling work is underway in Male’, Villimale’, and Thilafushi.
Thilamale’ Bridge is being developed under the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project (GMCP), contracted to Indian-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited. The project began operations on August 2022 and will be completed by the end of next year and connected to Thilafushi in 2024.
Work on the pillars of the Thilamale' Bridge is underway along with the final geotechnical survey of the next areas. The bridge is expected to be completed by mid-2024. The project will have three bridges, a causeway, and a network of roads 6.7km long. In addition, each island will have interchange points and parking areas. Solar energy will be used to provide road lighting, navigation lighting, deck cell lighting, CCTV, sign gantry lighting, and architectural lighting. Solar panels will also be installed on lamp posts and parapets of the bridge.
The GMCP is the single-largest infrastructure project in the Maldives and is expected to become a national economic engine, and a lifeline connecting Male' to Villimale', Gulhifalhu, and the Thilafushi Industrial Zone. The project is funded through a USD 400 million line of credit from the Indian Exim Bank and by a USD 100 million grant from the Government of India.