Planning Ministry: No halt in bridge project over any reason, work ongoing

Planning Ministry, on Monday, has stated that there has been no halt in the Thilamale’ Bridge project being undertaken by India’s Afcons Infrastructure for any reason.

The remarks by the Ministry comes after stories of work on the project being halted had gone viral on social media, backed with pictures.

An official from Planning Ministry refuted the claims, emphasizing that work on the project was ongoing at the moment itself.

Efforts are also presently underway to inquire about any possible impact on the Thilamale’ Bridge project following the fire at Afcons’ accommodation block in K. Gulhifalhu early Friday.

“Carrying out that assessment at present. Therewith, it is difficult to provide a definite answer at this moment,” the official added.

Multiple incidents in the course of Thilamale’ bridge project have raised doubts.

The latest was a demonstration by Afcons’ staff at Gulhufalhu on Saturday, citing nonpayment of wages. Afcons, however, refute these claims in a statement.

The protest was triggered by the fire at Afcons’ accommodation block in K. Gulhifalhu early Friday which resulted in injuries to 76 workers. Out of the 76 people that sustained injuries – 63 people were treated at the Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumale’, while 13 were treated at the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’.

A worker went missing in the fire. During a search operation to locate him, human remains were discovered at the burn site on Sunday.

Last week, one of the cranes used by India’s Afcons in the construction of the Thilamale’ Bridge fell off a self-elevating platform due to a failed boom – which has since been lifted out of the sea.

The incident came after one of Afcon’s self-elevating platforms wrecked on Vilimale’ reef back in August, resulting in damages to the reef.

Afcons was fined MVR 69 million for damages – which they have appealed.