President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has promised to expedite Thilamalé Bridge project after assessing its developmental progress and other details during the transitional period.
In an interview with Mihaaru News last week, Dr. Muizzu stated that he did not have relevant information about the project, making it difficult for him to comment on the expected date of completion.
However, he mentioned that the project was experiencing delays due to certain issues, although he did not elaborate further.
"We can make a definite timeline only after assessing the project's work and progress. We will have to meet with the contractor for it as well," Dr. Muizzu said.
According to the President-elect, the six-kilometer bridge is expected to take three to four years to complete without significant hindrances.
"I will only know after observing the project's current progress, but I believe no work has commenced across the channel, but some progress has been made in the mainland," Dr. Muizzu added.
"I have seen some of the pillars mounted in the sea, and it is not that convincing for me as an engineer. So, we may dismantle the entire structure and reinstall better pillars instead."
The current government contracted India's Afcons Infrastructure for the Thilamalé Bridge project, which is funded through a USD 400 million line of credit extended by India's EXIM Bank, along with an additional USD 100 million grant. The total cost of the project is USD 500 million (MVR 7.7 billion).
To expedite progress of the bridge, government took an additional USD 100 million line of credit earlier in 2023.
The outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration faced public backlash over the project's incomplete status, as the government had provided multiple completion dates that were not met.
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