The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development says 71 percent of the Greater Male' connectivity project, or the Thila Male' project, has been completed.
The ministry told The Press that 71.60 per cent of the work on the entire bridge has been completed, and the main work is the casting and installation of the segments for the brick deck.
It said that out of the 1,222 segments required for the bridge deck, 84 percent have been cast so far, and that 54 percent of the segments have been installed.
The Ministry official said that contractors were now developing the roads required for the bridge in Gulhifalhu and that rivetment and culvert installation work are continuing on Thilafushi.
Touted as the largest infrastructure project carried out in the Maldives, the Greater Male Area Connectivity Project aims to connect Male', Villimale', Thilafushi, and Gulheefalhu.a
The Government of the Maldives signed an agreement with an Indian-based company, Afcons Infrastructure Limited, for the project back in August of 2021.
The project scope also includes the construction of navigation bridges, viaducts, and on-grade roads. It is funded by a USD 400 million line of credit (LOC) from the Indian Exim Bank and a USD 100 million grant from the Indian government.
