The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has announced that an additional dredger will be put into use in October to accelerate land reclamation for Hulhumale’ Phase 3, Gulhifalhu, Giraavaru Falhu, and North Thilafushi.
These projects are important initiatives linked to the government’s housing policies. The government states that upon completion of these projects, a significant solution will be provided to the housing shortage faced by the Maldives.
One of the most important presidential pledges of the President is to provide a comprehensive solution to the housing issue. To expedite the ongoing land reclamation projects in Hulhumale’ Phase 3, Gulhifalhu, Giraavaru Falhu, and North Thilafushi, HDC said that two 45,000-ton hopper dredgers and one 11,000-ton hopper dredger will be put into use in October.
HDC also stated that they are working with relevant parties to identify and resolve potential challenges in advance to ensure the land reclamation work continues uninterrupted and as quickly as possible.
The Gulhifalhu reclamation project has been awarded to the Dutch company Boskalis. They also completed the first phase of Gulhifalhu reclamation. The second phase of Gulhifalhu reclamation involves reclaiming 192 hectares of land. The government has previously disclosed that this work was contracted to the company for 120 million dollars or 2 billion rufiyaa.
The Gulhifalhu reclamation work involves filling an area of 18 million cubic meters with sand from the Gulhifalhu lagoon. It also includes installing revetments to protect the reclaimed area.
The Hulhumale’ Phase 3 reclamation project is part of the “Binveriya” project initiated to allocate land from the Male’ area. This work began on September 22 last year. Under this project, a total of 63 hectares of land will be reclaimed in three areas.
The government is developing Giraavaru Falhu to address the housing shortage in the Male’ area. North Thilafushi has been designated by the government as an industrial agricultural island. Additionally, the largest project undertaken by this government to solve the housing issue is the Ras Male’ development project. To accelerate this work, a 21,000 cubic meter dredger has been brought in and work has already begun.
The Ras Male’ project, which involves reclaiming Fushidhiggaru lagoon, is one of the most important pledges of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. This project was initiated to provide a complete solution to the congestion and housing issues faced by Male’.
