The government of Maldives has spent approximately MVR 2 million on the ThilaMale' Bridge in the two years that Afcons has spent working on it, despite the bridge still not being visible above the water level of the seas.
The initial agreement signed with Afcons on September 16, 2021 stated that work on the Male'-Villimale'-GulhiFalhu-Thilafushi bridge would be completed by May 17, 2024. However, with the end date nearing, the bridge expected to be about 6 kilometers long is still not visible to the eye.
The previous administration, one day before the end of its term, signed a supplementary agreement with Afcons, lengthening the duration of the project to three years.
In a press conference held Thursday, Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muhthalib stated that while USD 500 million (MVR 7.7 billion) is the estimated cost of the project, 37.7 percent of the funds have been provided. This amounts to USD 186,725,462 (MVR 2.8 billion).
Despite the provision of billions of rufiya for the project, the completion of the bridge is only at 29 percent to date.
The Minister stated that the government has provided funding for the project in line with the progress of the work. He said that no further funds have been released, and that the larger amount is reflective of advance payments.
Afcons have so far only managed to complete work on the pillars and the assembling of precast segments.
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