Thilamale’ Bridge Project Reaches 76.1% Completion, Opening of Complete Bridge Set for December 2027
The Thilamale’ Bridge project has reached 76.1 per cent completion, with the 6.7-kilometre network of bridges and causeways expected to be completed and opened to public transport on December 21, 2027.
The project connects Malé, Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi and is intended to improve transport connectivity and strengthen economic integration across the Greater Malé region.
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Physical construction began on September 16, 2021. By November 17, 2023, when the previous administration’s term ended, 27 per cent of the project had been completed. The government has said construction accelerated significantly after President Dr Mohamed Muizzu took office and gave the project priority.
ތިލަމާލެ ބުރިޖުގެ ޢަމަލީ މަސައްކަތް ރަސްމީކޮށް ފަށާފައިވަނީ 16 ސެޕްޓެންބަރު 2021 ގައި. އެމް.ޑީ.ޕީ ސަރުކާރުގެ ދައުރު ނިމުނުއިރު، 17 ނޮވެންބަރު 2023 އާ ހަމައަށް ނިމިފައިވަނީ މި މަޝްރޫޢުގެ އެންމެ %27 މަސައްކަތް. ނަމަވެސް، 17 ނޮވެންބަރު 2023 ގައި ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ޑރ. @MMuizzu… pic.twitter.com/lfsbUEAdTg— Mohamed Nashid (@naadu_mv) August 17, 2026
Construction is currently focused on casting and installing deck segments between the bridge’s pillars. The growing structure on the western side of Malé has become increasingly visible as work progresses.
The project is being constructed by India’s Afcons Infrastructure. Construction initially faced delays following contractual changes and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the government has since said it is working with the Indian government and contractor to accelerate implementation.
In April, the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure reported that the project had reached 70 per cent completion. Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib subsequently said the section connecting Malé and Vilimalé was expected to be completed by the end of 2026, while the full project would be completed in 2027.
President Muizzu also said in January that construction of the bridge segment connecting to the Giraavaru lagoon would begin in 2027. The announcement was made during a meeting with land recipients and beneficiaries from Malé, Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru.
