Physical work of the 'Greater Male' Project began in September 2021. The project is estimated to cost USD 7.7 billion (approximately MVR 500 million). While the initial completion date was projected for late 2024, the project has encountered substantial delays.
The largest infrastructure development project aims to connect Malé City with Vilimalé, Thilafushi, and Gulhifalhu via an overwater bridge.
While the project's progress might have been slow, significant work on the structure has been ongoing at five key sites.
The key construction sites encompass various critical areas, including the channel between Malé and Vilimalé, Male’ itself, two zones in Gulhifalhu, Thilafushi, and Vilimalé. The ongoing work include the construction of bridge ramps, segments, pillars, and the bridge's framework, which are assembled at these designated locations. A workforce of over 2,500 employees operates around the clock across these sites to advance the project.
Afcons Infrastructure, the project contractor, said that laborers are operating in two shifts to ensure that the initial phase of the bridge concludes as per the scheduled timeline. This phase aims to establish a connection between Malé and Vilimalé. An official from the contractor emphasized that work is progressing, with a focus on preventing any additional delays to the project.
While certain segments of the project have experienced delays beyond the original schedule, officials from the Indian High Commission have affirmed that the project is anticipated to be completed within the established timeframe. The commission representatives noted that the project encountered setbacks owing to strong ocean currents in the channel, which posed challenges for the installation of pillars and piling operations.
"We acknowledge that there have been delays, but we are committed to ensuring the project is completed according to the original schedule. This is why we are executing multiple segments of the project simultaneously," the official said.
A duration of 32 months was contracted to develop the seven-kilometer bridge which is the same duration that took to complete the 1.39-kilometer Sinamalé Bridge connecting Malé with Hulhumalé.
While the government earlier projected the bridge to connect Malé with Vilimalé by August, it is estimated that the structure will be completed by late 2023 based on the current pace of the work.
“We are almost done with piling, we need four more pillars. After that we will start assembling the pre-cast segments. Overwater bridge components will begin next month,” the official said.
Nearly 70 percent of the piling work up to Vilimalé has already been completed. The project requires a total of 260 pillars, so far, 84 pillars have been assembled. Following the completion of piling, the next steps will involve pile capping, followed by the assembly of the pillars and superstructure.
While the project was contracted to Afcons in 2021, test piling started in 2022. Afcons carried out geo-technical survey and develop work sites that are required to assemble the pre-cast blocks.
Piling is carried out by two vessels designated for the component, which have concrete machines installed on them. Besides Malé and Vilimalé, piling is carried out at Gulhifalhu as well.
The work progress is monitored by MS Arup which is the same firm that was contracted to monitor the work of Sinamalé bridge.
MS Arup has been contracted for quality assurance and consultancy services, working closely with Afcons to assist in the development of the bridge. Serving as the primary consultant for the project, MS Arup is responsible for verifying the quality of the bridge structures, including pillars, piling, and pre-cast segments, to ensure they meet the necessary standards. With over 50 employees from MS Arup actively engaged on different work sites, all aspects of the project proceed with the approval of the consultancy firm.
“There’s no doubt about the quality of the work. Because all the work is carried out after confirming quality assurance,” the official said.
A total of 1,200 pre-cast segments are needed to complete the bridge super-structure out of which 70 segments have been completed. It takes an average of three days for a pre-cast segment to be assembled, while the pre-cast site of Afcons has the capacity of assembling 14 segments simultaneously.
The official confirmed that the segments will be completed by the time piling concludes.
The Thilamalé Bridge project, surpassing the Sinamalé Bridge as the Maldives' largest infrastructure undertaking, includes linking Gulhifalhu 1 and Gulhifalhu 2 through a highway. The necessary land for the highway has already been reclaimed, and an additional portion required for the bridge's connection with Thilafushi has also been reclaimed.
- Land and marine piling
- Pillar installation
- Reclamation of land in Vilimalé
- Revetment construction in the reclaimed area
- Pre-cast segment assembly
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