President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed confidence in the quality of the Thilamalé Bridge project and said all work on the project is expected to be completed within a year.

Speaking on the State Media’s Nation Chat programme, President Dr Muizzu said the quality of the Thilamalé Bridge was being closely monitored by the renowned international company that oversaw quality assurance for the Sinamalé Bridge.

He added that the director who led the Sinamalé Bridge project was also directly involved in the Thilamalé Bridge project, giving the Government full confidence in its quality.

President Dr Muizzu said the bridge has already connected Malé and Vilimalé, and that work to connect it to Gulhifalhu would begin once the connection is completed. The full project will be completed once the bridge reaches Thilafushi, he said.

He added that opening the bridge to the public as soon as possible was a key priority for the Government and expressed hope that all work would be completed within a year.

Around 30 per cent of the Thilamalé Bridge project had been completed by the end of the previous administration. Following efforts by the current Government in coordination with the Indian Government and the contractor, progress has since accelerated, with approximately 70 per cent of the project now completed.

The 6.7-kilometre bridge will connect Malé, Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. The project is being financed through USD 100 million in Indian grant assistance, a USD 400 million loan, and funding from the Maldivian Government, bringing the total project cost to approximately USD 500 million.

Road development and reclamation works in Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi are also being carried out as part of the wider project.