The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has stated that the Dhihdhoo land reclamation project is ongoing, and 26 hectares of land will be reclaimed according to the plan.
The Dhidhdhoo land reclamation project was initiated on May 27 to reclaim 26 hectares. However, reports have been circulating that MTCC has reduced the reclamation area by 10 hectares.
Abdulla Rasheed, the President of Dhidhdhoo Council, has informed the public that the leadership team at the MTCC site communicated their decision to reduce the land area from the initially designated 26 hectares by 10 hectares and that upon completion of the land reclamation process, only 16 hectares of land will be available for development.
Rasheed explained, “Those in charge of managing the project site were informed that the Dhidhdhoo land acquisition would encompass 16 hectares, and the council was also privy to this information. Nevertheless, no official action has been taken in response to this development, even by the Ministry.”
Reportedly, he had sent a letter to the Ministry of Planning expressing concerns about the land area reduction and requested an explanation for this decision.
Managing Director Adam Azim has denied any reduction in the land area, stating that the project will acquire a total of 26 hectares. He clarified, “There has been no reduction. We have changed the dredger being used, shifting from a larger dredger to a different one. The new instructions have been received, and we anticipate continuing the project as originally planned.”
To date, 16 hectares of land on the island have been successfully reclaimed as part of the ongoing project.
The Dhidhdhoo land reclamation project encompasses several components, including the construction of a 1,150-metre sand bund wall, the reclamation of 623,968 cubic metres of land, the reclamation of 10,962 cubic metres of coastal land, the creation of a 916-metre bioswale trench, and the construction of a 916-metre geotextile.
The project is valued at MVR 83.07 million.
