The mission to salvage the Thila-Male’ Bridge platform, which collapsed on Villimale reef, was delayed due to bad weather, India's Afcons Infrastructure Limited said.
AFCONS, the construction company working on the Thila-Male’ bridge, earlier said the platform, which sank on August 16, would be removed within 48 hours. However, the company said in a statement yesterday that the platform removal work had to be suspended due to bad weather.
“Due to rough sea condition over the past two days, we were forced to abort our mission twice to salvage the grounded platform from the south-eastern corner of the Villimale reef. We are constantly monitoring the weather, and our teams are on standby to begin the retrieval process as soon as the sea condition is favorable,” read the statement.
“Our topmost priority is to remove the platform with minimal impact on the reef. We are committed to safeguarding the environment, manpower, and equipment at all times,” AFCONS said.
Addressing the situation, the Planning Ministry said the platform floated due to a technical problem with the anchor.
The EPA is investigating whether the bridge platform has caused any damage to the coast. However, the extent of the damage to the coast has not been determined so far, the EPA said.
Meanwhile, Environmentalists are expressing concern over taking so much time to salvage the platform. The public has also accused AFCONS of not doing enough to remove the platform.
AFCONS, the construction company working on the Thila-Male’ bridge, earlier said the platform, which sank on August 16, would be removed within 48 hours. However, the company said in a statement yesterday that the platform removal work had to be suspended due to bad weather.
“Due to rough sea condition over the past two days, we were forced to abort our mission twice to salvage the grounded platform from the south-eastern corner of the Villimale reef. We are constantly monitoring the weather, and our teams are on standby to begin the retrieval process as soon as the sea condition is favorable,” read the statement.
“Our topmost priority is to remove the platform with minimal impact on the reef. We are committed to safeguarding the environment, manpower, and equipment at all times,” AFCONS said.
Addressing the situation, the Planning Ministry said the platform floated due to a technical problem with the anchor.
The EPA is investigating whether the bridge platform has caused any damage to the coast. However, the extent of the damage to the coast has not been determined so far, the EPA said.
Meanwhile, Environmentalists are expressing concern over taking so much time to salvage the platform. The public has also accused AFCONS of not doing enough to remove the platform.
