Aslam: Claiming Muizzu Solely Delivered Thilamalé Bridge Distorts the Truth
16 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 09:45Former Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam has refuted President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s claim that the current administration had to start the Thilamalé Bridge project from scratch. Aslam asserted that the previous government had already completed significant portions of the project and criticized the President for making misleading statements that obscure the facts from the public.
Former Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam.
While President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has claimed that the physical works of the Thilamalé Bridge project commenced from near zero, the Housing Minister of the MDP administration, Mohamed Aslam, has stated that it is improper to attempt to portray the project as an achievement solely credited to President Muizzu.
Speaking on "The Pulse" podcast, President Muizzu stated that when his administration took over the Thilamalé Bridge project—contracted to India’s Afcons during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s tenure—no work had been completed even between Malé and Villimalé. He noted that the project was essentially started from scratch by the current government.
Speaking to RaajjeMV regarding the matter, former Housing Minister Mohamed Aslam stated that the project cannot be characterized as one started from scratch by the current administration. Aslam noted that steel casings required for the installation of the pillars had already been laid in several areas.
Aslam stated that since the bridge was designed to be assembled using precast components, the necessary casting facilities and a significant portion of the structural segments had already been completed at Gulhifalhu during the previous administration. He noted that the current government was responsible for the installation of those components.
Aslam stated that this is a sovereign state, and it is standard practice for a subsequent administration to complete projects initiated by its predecessor. Therefore, Aslam noted that it is improper to attempt to mislead the public by portraying this as an achievement solely credited to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
It cannot be said that this government started this project from scratch. In some areas, the steel casings required for the pillars had already been installed. Since this bridge is a precast structure where components are manufactured elsewhere and then assembled, the setup for casting those segments was largely completed at Gulhifalhu by the previous administration. This government carried out the installation of those parts. This is a state, and it is the responsibility of the state to complete the work left by a preceding administration. However, it may not be right to portray this as an achievement solely of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Some leaders who come to serve as the people's servants...Mohamed Aslam
The Thilamalé Bridge project stands as one of the largest infrastructure developments in Maldivian history. This ambitious initiative aims to connect Malé, Villimalé, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi through a comprehensive bridge network. Construction is currently progressing at full scale, with work proceeding at a rapid pace across the project sites.
President Muizzu recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress of the project, which is being undertaken by India's Afcons Infrastructure and funded through Indian loans and grants. The President noted, however, that the government currently finds itself in a position where it has limited recourse to address the delays.
However, in this latest podcast episode, the President stated that the project is now progressing at a rapid pace. He noted that if the current momentum is maintained, the bridge construction will be completed in the near future.
