The Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure have contracted the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to undertake the development of harbors in R. Dhuvaafaru and B. Dharavandhoo.
The Dhuvaafaru project to be completed within 180 days, at a cost of USD 740,000 involves dredging operations, the construction of a breakwater jetty, and the allocation of a specific area for loading and unloading goods, as well as the installation of streetlights, mooring buoys, and an access platform. Dhuvaafaru is a bustling fishing village with a population of 2,920 and a harbor measuring 1,200ft by 300ft. The residents engage in various types of fishing and face challenges in docking a large number of fishing boats due to the harbor’s small size. Additionally, there are three types of fishing, 12 boats that fish for sea bass and 3 boats that fish in the large canal, 25 fishing boats, 3 boat-building operations, and three working harbors used for transporting goods between Male and Dhuvaafaru. However, the village faces significant challenges in terms of port space, which has led to increasing unrest among the people.
Furthermore, MTCC is charged with developing the harbor in Dharavandhoo within one year, at a cost of MVR 55.48 million. The island currently features a harbor measuring 700ft by 290ft, which is inadequate to accommodate the high number of vessels, including large speedboats that dock at the harbor from nearby resorts due to the domestic airport. The island council has reported that the breakwater near the harbor has been destroyed and the harbor lacks a special waiting area for tourists. The port is crucial for the village’s economy, as many residents earn their income through guesthouse business and work in nearby resorts. However, the port needs repairs and expansion to accommodate the growing number of boats, launches and dinghies. The project includes dredging a new harbor basin, renewing the outer canal, constructing a concrete jetty and a ramp, and installing port lights.
