Thilamale' Bridge Project Still Not Contracted to a Company

It is now 35 days past the announcement that the Thilamale’ bridge project will be contracted within ten days; the project has still not been contracted to a company.

During a press conference on June 8, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated that the project will be contracted in the next two weeks. When questioned after the period had passed and the project had still not been contracted, Minister Aslam on June 28 stated it would be awarded within ten days.

"Considering all ongoing work, a contract will be signed and construction will begin in ten days", Aslam then stated.

However, July has since passed and August has now begun.

According to some sources, the project is to be awarded to Afcons Infrastructure in India. The company previously funded Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi's campaign.

The current government decided to conduct Thilamale' Bridge project that was announced by former President Yameen Abdul Gayoom during his tenure.

The government has shared several dates regarding the construction of the bridge. In 2019, President Solih divulged that construction would begin by the end of the year, and structural work would begin in 2020. While four agreements pertaining to the bridge have been signed between the governments of India and Maldives, construction has still not begun.

The bridge is being funded by a USD 400 million loan from India.

Due to the delays, it is doubtful whether the bridge will be completed by the end of President Solih’s tenure.