The agreement for the construction of the Maldives' second over-water bridge, the 'Thila-Male' Bridge' will be signed this month.
Speaking to AVAS on the latest updates regarding the bridge construction project, State Minister of the Planning Ministry, Akram Kamaluddin said discussions regarding some aspects of the bid are currently in progress. The discussions are expected to conclude within the month, and the agreement will be duly signed before the end of the month, he added.
The minister further said the physical work of the project is expected to commence as per schedule, and that more details will be shared with the media in the coming days. He emphasized that the physical work of the project will begin this year.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office last week, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the project's bidding and awarding stage has been completed and is now in the process of agreement signing. However, discussions regarding the bid documents still need to take place prior to agreement signing, and the work is already underway, said the president.
The president said although a large percentage of the project will be completed in 2023, it is unlikely that industrial island Thilafushi can be linked and accessed via the bridge in 2023. The reason for the delay is due to the unforeseen hold-ups caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. However, the completed parts of the project will be opened in 2023, he added.
India is providing a loan assistance of US$ 400 million to build the bridge that will link Male', Villimale', Gulhifalhu and Thilfushi. While the loan agreement has been signed, US$ 100 million has been given as grant assistance by India and will be utilized for the project. The project was expected to reach completion within two years, in mid-2023.
