The foundation work of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge’s underwater pillars will commence next March, said housing minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu late Wednesday. Speaking at the ceremony held at Dharubaaruge convention centre to launch the commencement of the bridge linking capital Male to island airport Hulhule, Dr Muizzu said they have procured the equipment and materials for the bridge and are at the stage of mobilising the contractor. “Laying the bridge’s foundation is a huge venture even on a global scale. The foundation will measure 70 metres or 230 feet deep in the seabed,” said the minister. According to Minister Muizzu, structuring the underwater pillars of the bridge will be underway in June. He stated that the tips of the pillars above sea level will be visible within the next year. The next stage of development will be linking each pillar overwater. The minister estimated that construction of the bridge’s main body or super structure will commence April 23, 2017. “This is a huge project with regards to the amount of work. It’s huge in structure. And it’s huge in the time and money it takes as well,” said the minister. Of the total USD 210 million budget for the project, the Maldives’ government is set to spend USD 12.6 million while the Chinese government has donated USD 126 million in addition to other aids. Dr Muizzu asserted that development projects encompassing the whole of Maldives without the neglect of any atoll or island are currently underway with “unlimited funds”. The minister added that the launch of the bridge project, which is an electoral pledge of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, is a testimonial of the president’s sincerity, saying that all the other developments to the Maldives clearly illustrates his honesty to the people.