Sina-Male’ Bridge: No tolls until September 23

Its unlikely tolls will be taken for transport on the Sina-Male’ Bridge once its opened to the public until September 23, says Deputy Minister at Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Abdulla Ziyadh.

Speaking during the Public Service Media (PSM) show ‘Sina-Male’ Bridge: Huvafen Haqeeqathakah’ last Sunday night, Ziyad said transportation will be free of charge when the bridge opens to the public on September 7.

“We are not even talking about any toll. The government isn’t even talking about it. God willing, we will open the bridge free of charge on 7th. And once its open you travel on it free of charge. You can travel at will,” said Ziyadh.

He said the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure is working on finalizing tolls for transport on the bridge.

“But we will implement tolls. We are calculating the tolls. We will look and decide on the most reasonable and cheap [toll rates] for the public,” said Ziyadh.

“I don’t believe any toll will be taken from people before September 23 so no need to worry about that now,” said Ziyadh.

Speaking to “Sun” regarding Ziyadh’s comments, the media consultant at Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, said Ziyadh’s comments during the PSM show were only his opinions. And that a decision on the tolls will be made and announced soon.

The Sina-Male’ Bridge between Male’ City and Hulhule’ stretches 2 kilometers long. Public bus transportation on the bridge will be provided by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).

Speaking to media regarding the grand opening of the bridge, Muizzu said he was confident the toll rates for transportation on top of the bridge “will not be a burden to the public”.