Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdullah Muththalib has confirmed that the Thilamalé Bridge project will take longer than originally planned, with full completion now expected in 2027, a year later than the previously announced 2026 target.
Speaking on state media, the minister said progress on the project has been slower than anticipated, citing a range of challenges that have affected construction timelines. The bridge project is being financed through a USD 400 million line of credit from the Exim Bank of India, along with a USD 100 million grant from the Government of India.
Dr Muththalib pointed to decisions taken under the previous administration as a key factor contributing to delays. He said a 30-month extension was granted to the contractor without additional payment, a move that has since become contentious. According to the contractor, Afcons of India, the extension has resulted in additional costs of around USD 100 million.
The minister stressed that the current government should not be held accountable for delays stemming from what he described as poor performance by the contractor, adding that responsibility for the cost overruns does not lie with the state.
Efforts are now underway, in coordination with the Indian government, to speed up progress on critical sections of the project. Dr Muththalib said particular focus is being placed on the segment connecting Vilimale’ and Malé, which authorities are aiming to link by the end of this year.
While some partial connections are expected to be completed within the revised timeline, the minister acknowledged that the entire bridge will not be finished by the end of 2026, as previously projected. At the current pace of work, full completion is now expected in 2027.
The USD 500 million Thilamalé Bridge is among the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the Maldives. Once completed, it is expected to significantly improve transport connectivity across the Greater Malé region, linking Malé, Vilimale’, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi.
