The Planning Ministry says work on building the bridge deck on the Male' side is now underway as part of the Greater Male' Connectivity project which would connect Male', Villimale', and Thilafushi via a sea bridge.

Speaking to 'The Press about the latest updates regarding the project, Project Manager from the Planning Ministry side Mohamed Jinan said that bridge work is concurrently underway in Male', Villimale, Thilafushi, and even Gulheefalhu.

Jinan said that in Male', works are now constructing the bridge deck, and also work on the sea pillars continues from the Male' side.

In Villimale, Jinan said more pillars were being installed and that a land reclamation project is also underway in Villimale.

He said that in Gulheefalhu work continues in installing land pillars required to construct the bridge and that all these works are moving as per schedule.

The sea vessel brought in for major bridge works/Photo: The Press

While the government assures that the bridge work is going according to plan, the huge sea vessel brought in for major construction work related to the bridge, 'Rumailah' departed earlier this week.

Planning Ministry said that the vessel left after its work was done but some news outlets have reported that the contractor was forced to send the vessel away due to unpaid bills.