India's Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. has revealed that the Thila Male' Bridge would be open for travel between Male' and Villimale' by mid next year.

The Greater Male' Connectivity Project (GMCP) will connect Male' to Villimale', Gulhifalhu, and the Thilafushi Industrial Zone. Substantial geotechnical investigation works for the preconstruction of the bridge began in January, while the foundation works for the bridge is expected to begin midway this year.

Operations Director at Afcons Infrastructure R. V. Kishore revealed that the project will be completed as scheduled. As such he revealed that the works on linking Villimale' and Gulhifalhu would begin by December of next year, with the entire project wrapping up by November of 2024.

The Greater Male' Connectivity Project, which is expected to be the Maldives' largest infrastructure development project, is funded by a USD 100 million Indian grant and a USD 400 concessional credit line from India's Exim Bank. On August 26, 2021, Afcons was awarded the project to be finished within two years.

The project entails the construction of a 6.74-kilometer bridge as well as a causeway connection. The bridges across the islands will be 140 meters long, according to the Indian High Commission in the Maldives.