Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muttalib has said that the construction of the Thilamale' Bridge is 1.11 percent ahead of the planned schedule and 35 percent of the work has been completed.

Briefing reporters at Seneco Maalam today about the Ministry's work, Muttalib said that 58 percent of the bridge pillar piling has been completed and the project is expected to be completed on September 30, 2026.

"We have completed 35 per cent of the work. Right now, the main task is to keep things going as per schedule. Once the work is carried forward to the point where the contractor is comfortable, we will begin discussions on how soon the project can be completed. But right now, the focus is on ensuring that the work goes as per schedule," the minister said.

Highlighting the work completed so far on the Thilamale' Bridge, the Minister said that 43 percent work on bridge pile cap, 40 percent work on pier columns and 24 percent of precast segment of bridge superstructure have also been completed.

Though the work on the bridge initially started as per plan, there was a major delay and a supplementary agreement was signed on November 16 last year, setting a new date for completion.

According to the agreement, the new date for completion of the work is September 30, 2026 and the deadline for completion of the bridge connecting Male' and Villingili, which is Section A of the project, is May 31, 2026. The Minister added that a verbal agreement had been reached to complete the segment by 31 December 2025.

Thilamale' bridge project is the largest project by India in Maldives, and was awarded to AFCONS in August 2021 to be completed within 2 years. The bridge is being funded through a USD 100 million grant and USD 400 million credit line by India. The field work on the project began in August 2022.

Under the project, the main sea bridges between the two islands of the causeway link with a 6.7-km-long bridge will have 140 km, including a marine viaduct for 1.45 km in the deeper lagoons, 2.32 km of marine viaduct on the sea/shore, and a 2.96-km road at par with the ground.

Traffic lights will be installed at the intersection of Male' and Villimale' Bridges. The Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi bridges will have bus stations connected to the island.