Saturday
31st Oct 2026
Dhivehi Edition
Thilamale' Bridge, Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development
Vilimalé and Gulhifalhu have been structurally connected following the installation of the final segment linking the two islands under the Thilamalé Bridge project.
Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib announced the milestone on social media, thanking contractor Afcons and the Indian government for their support.
The connection comes approximately two months after the Malé–Vilimalé section was joined on 22 August. The installation marks a construction milestone rather than the opening of the bridge to traffic.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu inspected the project on 30 August, walking from Malé to Vilimalé along the bridge’s pedestrian walkway.
Speaking to reporters during that visit, Muizzu attributed progress on the Malé–Vilimalé connection to high-level discussions between the Maldivian and Indian governments. He expressed hope that the entire project would be completed next year, describing it as a major development for the Greater Malé region.
The 6.7-kilometre project is being built by India’s Afcons with Indian financial assistance. All underwater construction work has been completed, according to the account of the project’s progress.
The USD 500 million project, equivalent to approximately MVR 7.7 billion, is financed through a USD 400 million line of credit from India’s Export-Import Bank and a USD 100 million grant from the Indian government.