President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced that the construction of the Maldives’ second overwater bridge will commence during the next six months.
The development of a 6,695 km bridges and causeways between Male’, Villimale’, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu has been contracted to an Indian company under the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project. Three bridges will be constructed as part of the project.
While delivering the presidential address at the first parliamentary session of 2021, President Solih said the first phase of dredging necessary to relocate the commercial harbour in Male’ to Gulhifalhu was completed last year. The practical works of the development of the harbour will kick off this year, said the president, as well as the development of the Male’-Villimale-Thilafushi-Gulhifalhu bridge.
The survey on the Thila-Male' bridge project was conducted by a Dutch company for USD 15 million. The company drilled 25 boreholes in the sea as well as 25 boreholes in the land as part of the survey.
India has agreed to provide loan assistance of USD 400 million for the bridge project. While the loan agreement has been signed, USD 100 million has been given as a grant assistance by India and will be utilized for the project.
