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Thursday 15 Jan 2026
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Thilamale' bridge construction work ongoing: Afcons targeting to link Male'-Vilimale' segment of the bridge by the end of October. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Shaan)
India’s Afcons Infrastructure, the contractor of Thilamale’ bridge project which will link Male’, Vilimale’, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu, states 68 percent of the project is now complete, adding Male’-Vilimale’ segment will be linked by the end October.
In an exclusive interview with Sun regarding the progress of Thilamale’ bridge project, project manager SM Visvamurthy said the main work currently in progress is focused on linking the Malé and Vilimalé segments of the bridge.
“The primary work is segment direction. This is very delicate work. We are targeting to complete works on the segment [of the bridge] linking Male’ and Vilimale’ by the end of October,” he said.
Visvamurthy noted that some 2,300 workers are engaged in the bridge project, working around the clock.
He emphasized that the company is targeting to ensure Male’-Vilimale’ segment of the bridge can be opened for public use by the end of this year.
“We are surely working towards this,” he added.
Thilmale’ bridge project has been significantly delayed compared to the original timeline envisioned for its completion. This is a concern that has been raised by the incumbent administration as well. Commenting on the delays, Visvamurthy cited weather-related challenges as the main obstacles. He specifically noted that the sea between Male’ and Vilimale’ is particularly rough, with strong currents creating waves that push barges close to the construction platforms.
According to Visvamurthy, such challenges result in work being halted for about 10 days each month.
“A single wrong could lead to huge dangers. If any segments are damaged, there will be additional delays,” he noted.
Visvamurthy detailed that the bridge will have over 1,200 segment directions in total, of which around 700 are still pending.
The seven-kilometer bridge linking Male’, Vilimale’, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu features the tallest precast segments to be produced in the world at 8.2 meters high and 25.3 meters wide.
