New Date for Thilamale' Bridge Construction

Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam, on behalf of the government, announced the Thilamale' Bridge project will be awarded to a company in the following ten days, yet another date.

In a press conference on June 8, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declared that the project will be assigned in the coming two weeks, but the period has since passed. Regarding the statement, Planning Minister Aslam stated that President Solih previously reported the completion on the tender process and evaluation process, and that that a firm would be assigned the project by the end of June.

According to sources, the bridge will be constructed by an Indian company. A specific company has yet to be named. "Considering all ongoing work, a contract will be signed and construction will begin in the next ten days", said Aslam.

Dutch company Fugro drilled 25 boreholes in the sea and 25 boreholes on land for their USD 15 million assessment.

The project is to be funded by a USD 400 million (roughly MVR 6.1 billion) loan from India.

Minister Aslam previously stated he hoped to see Thilamale' Bridge, connecting Male' and Villimale', and Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu, built according to schedule and completed by 2023.