Two areas being surveyed to collect sand for Hulhumale

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has revealed that they have undertaken surveys of two areas near the capital to determine if they are suitable to collect sand, needed for the reclamation work of Hulhumale’ second phase.

Mohamed Shahid, Deputy Managing Director of he government owned corporation responsible for the development and management of Hulhumale’ revealed that surveys are being conducted near the industrial island of Thilafushi and an area north of the capital Male’.

“We have completed EIAs (Environment Impact Assessments) of two area to collect sand. We are now trying to determine whether they contain the amount of sand we need. We can then proceed to sign a contract,” Shahid said. “Reclamation for the first phase was also done with sand from this lagoon area.”

Shahid said that they will be able to conclude the survey within the next 15 days.

“The dredgers will come to Maldives and begin work as soon as the contract is signed, and the work will be finished within the specified time,” Shahid assured.

HDC has decided to hand over the reclamation work to Belgium based company, Dredging International, the same company that carried out reclamation for the first phase. The Corporation estimates the reclamation to cost $59 million.

HDC said earlier that Dredging International has proposed to complete reclamation of the total planned area of 240 hectares within 8 months and to finish construction of breakwaters within 1 year of commencement of the project.