Saturday
27th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
The Thilamale' Bridge project has yet to be awarded to a company, long after the duration set by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has passed.
In a press conference at the President's Office on June 8, President Solih announced the completion of the tender process, and near completion of the evaluation process. He stated the project would be awarded to a company by late June.
"I hope to finish the evaluation and award the project to a company in the next two weeks. A firm will be awarded the project by the end of the month", said the president.
However, with two days left until the end of the month, the project has not been assigned to a business.
Previously, President Solih shared several dates regarding the construction of the bridge. In 2019, he divulged construction would begin by the end of the year, and structural work would begin in February 2020. At the time, the loan for the project had not even been acquired.
The only progress made was USD 15 million survey work done by a Dutch company.
The bridge is being funded by a USD 400 million (MVR 6.1 billion) loan given by India's EXIM Bank and will be constructed by an Indian company. It is worth mentioning that no Indian company has ever built a similar bridge.
The construction of bridges to join the Greater Male' Area was a pledge made by former President Yameen Abdul Gayoom in 2018. He was subject to major criticism from those currently in power.