First Phase of Maldives’ Landmark Thilamale’ Bridge Nears Completion

The first phase of the long-anticipated Thilamale’ Bridge, a transformative infrastructure project set to connect Male’, Villimale’, Gulhi Falhu, and Thilafushi, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, according to Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib.

Speaking during a recent appearance on Public Service Media (PSM), Dr Muththalib confirmed that construction is progressing without interruption and around 70 percent of the first phase, which connects Male’ and Villimale’, has already been completed.

Highlighting the significance of the bridge, the Minister emphasised that it is a cornerstone of the government’s broader vision to integrate the capital city with surrounding industrial and residential zones, facilitating smoother transportation, economic development, and urban expansion.

Despite the steady advancement, Dr Muththalib acknowledged that the project has not progressed at the desired pace due to challenges faced by the contractor. He pointed to administrative missteps by the previous administration, which extended the project deadline by 30 months without securing additional funding or accountability, resulting in an estimated cost overrun exceeding USD 6.4 million.

“The delay was not justified by state obligations but stemmed from poor contractual management,” the Minister stated.

He added that the current government is now actively engaged in high-level discussions with both the Government of India and the executing contractor to accelerate work and prevent further setbacks. To expedite completion, the Ministry is exploring multiple strategies, including enhanced oversight, logistical support, and round-the-clock operations at critical work sites.

“Our immediate goal is to complete the connection between Male’ and Villimale’ by December 2026,” Dr Muththalib affirmed.

“It is crucial we finalise this stretch before planned residential settlements begin on Gulhi Falhu. We are pushing to make headway on that. The work has not stalled and we are now expecting the entire bridge project to be completed in 2027.”

The engineering backbone of the bridge, including the installation of 263 foundation piles and the construction of vertical pillars across the four islands, has been fully realised, with the superstructure on these supports nearing completion.

At Gulhi Falhu, the central construction zone, teams are actively casting and assembling pre-stressed concrete segments that form the bridge deck. To date, around 500 of the 1,222 total segments have been successfully joined, with segment casting operations nearly finished.

Spanning a total of 6.7 kilometres, including bridges and causeways, the Thilamale’ project represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in Maldivian history. With an overall cost of USD 500 million, the project is being funded through a USD 100 million grant and a USD 400 million line of credit extended by the Government of India, underscoring the deepening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Once completed, the Thilamale’ Bridge will revolutionise connectivity in the Greater Male’ region, easing congestion, supporting industrial growth on Thilafushi, and opening new residential opportunities on reclaimed lands such as Gulhi Falhu.

As the final stretch of work accelerates, the government remains committed to delivering a safe, sustainable, and symbolic link that will shape the nation’s urban and economic future for generations.