Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun assessing the damage to the Villimale’ reef caused by the bridge platform.
Speaking to PSM News, Director General Ibrahim Naeem said that EPA has begun surveying the damage and that it was difficult to determine when the work will be completed. The bridge platform ran aground on Villimale’ on August 16 and caused damage to the reef after its anchor became embedded on the sea floor. The platform was removed from the area on August 27.
Afcons Infrastructure Limited stated that the self-elevating platform, which was brought in for geotechnical studies of the Thila-Male' Bridge, was hit by strong winds and waves, which caused the incident. The India-based company added there were 11 employees on the platform at the time and they were rescued following the incident that took place while the platform was being anchored.
Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure stated that the work to remove the platform was delayed after high tides prevented the platform from being refloated. Following the incident, a meeting was held with the planning ministry, EPA, and Afcons. The ministry stated that the contractor assures there would be no delay in the project timeline despite the incident.