The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has denied reports that the contract with the independent quality assurance firm overseeing the Thilamalé Bridge project has been terminated.

Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib clarified that the agreement with Arup, the Hong Kong-based consultancy responsible for verifying the bridge’s construction quality, remains in force. This statement comes amid media reports claiming the Government had cancelled the contract, prompting Arup to lay off employees working on the project. Minister Dr Muththalib dismissed the reports as inaccurate, confirming that the contract with the quality assurance company has not been cancelled.

The Thilamalé Bridge is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Malé region, designed to connect four islands via a 6.7-kilometre bridge, which includes inter-island access points and parking facilities.

Project updates reveal that 60.84 per cent of the work has been completed, with the piling phase finished. The Government expects the bridge to be handed over fully completed by September 2026.