The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has assured that the Thilamale' Bridge development project is progressing according to the schedule. The fieldwork of the project is ongoing in Male' City. Vilingili and Gulhifalhu.
The planning ministry briefed that the construction of road pillars is underway for the Thilamale' Bridge development project. The ministry said three of the pillars have been completed in the Industrial Zone in Male'. In addition, dredging is underway in Vilingili. The main works of the project are currently ongoing at the site in Gulhifalhu where prefabricating for the bridge is taking place.
The contractor of the project, the India-based Afcons Infrastructure Limited is carrying out piling work at four locations. These include land or road pillars, shallow water, medium water, and deep water pillars. The shallow water pillars are erected using temporary bridges, while in other areas pillars are erected on platforms. In addition, the fabrication of the liners of the pillars is already in progress. The segments connecting the pillars and the superstructure are also ready. The final preparations are now underway for the bridge to be connected as soon as the pillars are completed.
Regarding the Thilamale' Bridge, the Project Manager at the planning ministry Mohamed Jinan said a total of eight pillars are planned to be installed on the road and the piling work of all the pillars has already been completed. He also said that construction is underway to install pile caps on the piles. He added a total of 50 pillars will be erected as part of the project.
The planning ministry revealed Thilamale’ Bridge will be completed by the end of next year and connected to Thilafushi in mid-2024 as part of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP). The project 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.