Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure has stated that workers have begun placing permanent pillars on the sea bed for the Thilamale’ Bridge development project.
Speaking to PSM News, Project Manager Mohamed Jinan said that the pillars have been built on land and workers have begun placing pillars on the sea bed. He noted that the current work consists of building the piling structure.
Additionally, Project Manager Jinan said that land has to be reclaimed in Villimale’ to connect the bridge and that a bund wall has been built to begin reclamation this month. He said that the project is progressing and that the bridge will connect Male’ City and Gulhifalhu in December as part of phase 1.
Thilamale’ Bridge is being developed under the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project (GMCP), contracted to Indian-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited. The planning ministry revealed Thilamale’ bridge will be connected to Thilafushi in 2024. The bridge consists of three bridges, a causeway, and a road network spanning over 6.7km. The project will also see the development of interchange points and parking zones at each connection stop.
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 USD400 million Line of Credit from the Indian Exim Bank and by a USD100 million grant from the government of India.