Surveys for bridge linking Thilafushi-UTF complete; tender for design to be announced soon

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdulla Muthalib has stated that the necessary surveys for the proposed bridge connecting Giraavaru Falhu and Thilafushi have been completed, with the tender for the project's design phase set to be announced in the near future.

Responding to a public question during Monday night's Ahaa forum, the Minister said construction of the Thilamalé Bridge is progressing towards Thilafushi, with the project expected to be fully completed by November next year.

He further noted that a feasibility study on extending the bridge from Thilafushi to Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) had previously been conducted with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Minister explained that the project had faced challenges due to difficulties in securing international loans. However, he said the government's aim was to complete all technical preparations so that the project would be ready for implementation once the country's economic situation improves and financing becomes available. He reaffirmed that awarding the contract and commencing construction during the current presidential term remain key objectives of the administration.

"The government, through the ADB, has previously conducted the feasibility study for the bridge connection from Thilafushi to UTF. However, the project faced hurdles due to constraints in obtaining foreign loans and other related difficulties. Nevertheless, an announcement seeking a party for the design work will be made shortly," the Minister stated.

The Minister also said the government was working on arrangements to hand over plots to individuals allocated land in the reclaimed areas and facilitate measures such as the construction of boundary walls.

However, he noted that providing essential services, including water, sanitation and electricity, in reclaimed areas requires substantially greater investment than the reclamation work itself. He pointed out that meeting such significant costs through the state budget at once would be difficult.

Citing Gulhifalhu as an example, the Minister estimated that establishing basic utilities and constructing roads in the area would cost more than USD 400 million. To address delays, the government is currently working with public utility companies and MTCC to expedite the commencement of water and sewerage network projects.

Concluding his remarks, the Minister emphasized that the government's top priority is to hand over the allocated plots to citizens as soon as possible and ensure the necessary conditions are in place for them to settle in the areas.