Dredging resumes for Hulhumale' Phase III housing project

The third phase of Hulhumale's land reclamation project resumed on Monday, with dredging work restarting after a months-long delay.

The project, led by Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMCC), aims to reclaim a total of 63 hectares. So far, 24 hectares have been dredged since the project was launched in September 2023 under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The remaining 38 hectares are now being excavated.

The Ministry of Construction said the delay was due to revisions to Hulhumale's master plan. With dredging now resumed, the ministry has advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu visited the site on Monday to inspect progress. The ministry said the project is intended to address housing shortages in the Greater Male' Region, and the government is working to complete it swiftly to provide housing opportunities to as many people as possible.

While the previous administration had planned to allocate land from Hulhumale' Phase III under the Binnveriyaa scheme, the current government has shifted focus to the Fushidhiggaru lagoon reclamation, touted as the largest housing project in Maldivian history. The shift has drawn criticism from some quarters for deprioritizing Hulhumale's third phase.