On 26th August 2021, the Maldives government signed with India’s Afcons Infrastructure for the development of the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project. The project will come later known as the Thilamale’ Bridge project.
The Thilamale’ Bridge project is now considered as the largest infrastructure project to execute ever in the Maldives, exceeding that of the Sinamale’ Bridge project; which linked Male’ City with both Hulhule’ and Hulhumale’.
The new bridge project will connect Male’ City with Vilimale’, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi.
Project components include construction of a bridge structure spanning a total of 6.74 kilometers with three navigation bridges of 140 meters in width, the installation of a 1.41-kilometer marine viaduct in deep water, and a 2.32-kilometer marine viaduct in shallow water or land.
The bridge will include 2.96 kilometers of at-grade roads with interchanges on both Male’ and Vilimale’. Roundabouts will be created on both Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.
Unlike the previous bridge, the Maldives government went with an Indian contractor to develop the large structure. With this, some became speculative in the abilities of the new contractor.
About the Contractor
Afcons Infrastructure reports projects in over 25 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The company is ranked 7th globally in Marine and Port facilities, and 16th globally in the bridges sector.
It is also the highest-ranked Indian company in top 25 international contractors in both the sectors. Afcons is also the highest-ranking Indian contractor in top 50 international contractor in transportation sector.
About the Parent Company
Afcons Infrastructure’s majority stakeholder, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group (SP Group) was established in 1865 in India. The SP Group has a leading presence in engineering and construction, infrastructure, real estate, water, energy, and financial services sectors across the globe.
The company currently has a strong employee base of over 70,000, and delivers end-to-end solutions across 70 countries.
Specialty of the company include developing mega-structures, iconic landmarks, introduce innovative technology in water management, renewable energy, oil, gas and power with a “focus on good governance and sustainable development”.
History of Afcons
- 1959: Afcons began its journey as a civil construction company, which initially was a partnership between Rodio Foundation Engineering Limited of Switzerland and Hazarat Company of India
- 1976: Rodio Hazarat becomes Asia Foundations and Construction Ltd
- 1997: The company once again changes name; this time to Afcons Infrastructure Ltd
- 2000: Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt Ltd acquires majority stake in the company
- 2013: The company achieves a USD567 million turnover (for the financial year 2011-12), with a transnational presence in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia
- 2016: Afcons becomes a Knowledge Enterprise; and bags the MAKE Award in all three levels – India, Asia, and Global
- 2017: Afcons crosses the USD1 billion market value
Current Board of Directors of SP Group
- Shapoor Pallonji Mistry | Chairman
- K Subramanian | Executive Vice Chairman
- S Paramasivan | Managing Director
- Giridhar Rajagopalan | Deputy Managing Director
- David Rasquinha | Director
- Pradip Narotam Kapadia | Director
- Pallon S Mistry | Director
- Umesh N Khanna | Director
- Roshen Minocher Nentin | Director
Accolades and Recognition
- Africa Best Employer Brand Award 2019 | Only Infra company to win this title in 2019
- CIDC Vishwakarma Awards 2019 | For Agra Lucknow Expressway and Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals project
- MAKE Award in Global, Asia, and India levels | Won the award twice in 2016 and 2017
- Golden Peacock Award | Two-time winner
- British Safety Council’s International Safety Award | Three-time winner
- Construction Industry Award | For Chennai Metro Project for two years in a row
- Asian Banker’s Choice Award
- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Awards
- Dun & Bradstreet Award | Three years in a row in 2017, 2018, and 2019
Notable Infrastructure Projects
- Chennai Central Metro Station, Chennai | Ongoing
- Delhi Airport Metro, Underground Station
- Elevated Viaduct, New Delhi | Completed in 2011
- Metro Tunneling below Hoogly River, Kolkata | Completed in 2017
- Model Town Station, New Delhi | Ongoing
- Underground Metro, Chennai | Ongoing
- Kanpur Metro | Completed in 2021
Notable Surface Transport Projects
- Agra-Lucknow Expressway Project | Completed in 2017
- Bhairab Railway Bridge, Bangladesh | Completed in 2016
- Jammu Udhampur Highway | Completed in 2017
- Mina Salman Interchange | Completed in 2014
- Vallarpadam Railway Bridge | Completed in 2009
- Cable-Stayed Bridge across River Mapusa, Goa
- Chenab Railway Bridge | Ongoing
- Jewel of Creek Development, Dubai | Completed in 2020
With notable infrastructure, bridge and expressway development projects under its belt, Afcons Infrastructure also holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification. Additionally, the company’s Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) Management System is recognized internationally and achieved the OHSMS: ISO 45001:2018 and the EMS: ISO 14001:2015.
Afcons is a renowned name in the infrastructure development sector across three major regions, and in over 70 countries. The company has expanded its corporate presence into Africa, Middle-East, and Asia while it reports 50% of its projects are from repeat clients; which indicate the strong corporate rapport and trust it has built among its clientele.
So, it is safe to suffice that the Thilamale’ Bridge project is in fact in capable hands.