Afcons: Will adhere to EPA’s instructions on Vilimale’ reef, project will not be delayed

India’s Afcons Infrastructure undertaking the construction of the Thilamale’ Bridge has stated that the project has not been delayed despite the wrecking of a self-elevating platform used in the construction of the bridge wrecking on Viimale’ reef in late August.

The self-elevating platform used by India’s Afcons Infrastructure for the construction of the Thilamale’ Bridge wrecked on the Vilimale’ reef on August 16. Three workers were injured in the incident.

It was refloated after nearly two weeks, on August 27. Meanwhile, the cleaning of the debris from the area was completed on September 4. The incident caused severe damage to Vilimale’ reef.

Afcon’s Projects Director R.V. Kishor told Sun on Tuesday that the incident was a result of sudden rough seas, and strong waves. However, he stressed that it is unlikely the incident will impact the timeline of the whole project.

“We are carrying out this project with the most comprehensive safety measures in place, and the most quality technology,” he added.

Kishor said that the wrecking left cracks on Vilimale’ reef, with the dredging equipment on the platform digging into the reef, leaving craters in some areas.

He stressed that Afcons will adhere to EPA’s instructions with all matters pertaining to the damage to the reef.

“An investigation we had jointly carried out EPA concluded recently. We will collaborate with other government authorities in carrying out works to solve this,” he emphasized.

Kishor said that cleaning the debris from the area took a long time due to extreme weather experienced at that time.

“The biggest priority is to ensure the safety of divers and marine crew. We carried out that work, by ensuring this. Even when the work was done, the weather had been bad,” he had said.

In order to ensure that such an incident does not repeat – Kishor said Afcons have begun paying more attention to weather reports when carrying out marine works.

“Our company’s experts are analyzing the (weather) reports, and giving their input as well,” he detailed.

The construction of the Thilamale’ Bridge was contracted to India’s Afcons Infrastructure on August 26, 2021. The groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held on August 2, during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s visit to India.

In an earlier statement, Afcons has the navigational bridge between Male’ City and Vilimale’ being built under the project will be open for traffic in July 2023.

Once done, a 6.74-kilometer-long bridge and causeway link will connect capital city Male City with adjoining islands of Villimale’, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.

The scope of the project comprises three navigation bridges of 140-meter main span across the deep channel between each island, 1.41 kilometers of marine viaduct in deep water, 2.32-kilometer marine viaduct in shallow water or on land, and 2.96 kilometers of at-grade roads.

The land interchanges on Male’ and Vilimale’ will be signalized junctions, and there will be roundabouts at Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.

Bus terminals are planned on each island near the junctions with the mainline.

To use renewable energy as a sustainable measure in infrastructure, the project will use solar power for lighting purposes. Solar panels will be installed on the top of the lamp posts and along discrete lengths of the bridge parapets.

The project is funded under a grant of USD 100 million from Indian government and a line of credit of USD 400 million from the EXIM Bank of India.