The Thilamalé bridge being developed with India's loan assistance to connect Malé, Villimalé, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi is 50 percent complete, said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu yesterday.
In his Presidential Address in Parliament, the president said Thilamalé bridge is an important aspect in the structural development of the Malé region.
“50.88 percent of the bridge has been completed,” he said.
Speaking further, President Muizzu said although completion of the deep sea pillars for the bridge were delayed, the project would be completed on schedule as planned by the government.
The Thilamalé bridge is a USD 500 million (MVR 7.7 billion) project commenced during former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. This includes USD 400 million line of credit extended by India's Exim Bank and a further USD 100 million in aid by the Indian government.
The bridge is expected to be fully completed by the end of next year.
Referring to other projects in the city, the President said all the roads in the city are badly damaged causing distress for the public. As such, the government is in the final stages of preparations to carry out a major project to re-develop all the roads of Male' city under the free assistance of the Chinese government, he said.
The President said the feasibility study of the project has already been completed and the practical work will start this year.
As part of efforts to ensure the safety of water services in the city, Malé and Hulhumalé will be connected via a water grid this year and the pipeline installed in the Sinamalé bridge would be utilised to supply water to Malé.
The president also said the water production in the Malé area would also be increased by 25 percent, and the water storage capacity in the city would be increased by 30 percent this year.
He went on to reveal plans of developing environmentally friendly, renewable energy powered parking buildings in four areas of Malé, funded through India's concessional financing.
“I am pleased to announce that the implementation of this project is being started this year,” he said.
Addu bridge survey to start
The president said that notices for hiring a survey and engineering design contractor would be published this month, with technical work set to begin within the same timeframe to accelerate the bridge project.
He also said that the Addu road development project being carried out under India's line of credit assistance is nearly completed and that work to develop the Addu link road and other important roads in the city would also start this year.
The President said the MVR 282 million project to solve the water system issued in Addu City would be completed this year as well.