The Planning Ministry has said the construction of the over-water bridge linking Male', Vilimale', Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu will begin within three months.
When asked regarding the latest updates on the bridge project, State Minister Akram Kamaluddin said preparations are ongoing to mobilize the project. In this regard, the contractor, India's Afcons Infrastructure is working on completing the detailed design of the bridge, said Akram. The design work is expected to be completed within three months after which the practical work of the project will begin, he added.
The Greater Male' Connectivity Project's agreement was signed between the Planning Ministry and Afcons Infrastructure on August 26.
The development of the bridge is financed by the Indian government. India has extended a grant assistance of USD 100 million and a further loan of USD 400 million for the project. According to the Indian Embassy in the Maldives, the loan is part of the USD 800 million line of credit facility from Indian EXIM Bank. A line of credit is a flexible loan that can be repaid either immediately or over time.
The project's contractor, Afcons Infrastructure is a sister company of India's TATA company. Established 60 years ago, the company is one of the most qualified hydro and underground companies in India. Some of the projects completed by the company include the Transgabonaise Road project linking India's east and west. Afcons is also constructing Ghana’s longest railway bridge over one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs.
