Not enough sand in Thilafushi lagoon for Hulhumale

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has said today that surveys of Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu lagoons have revealed that the areas do not have enough sand needed for the second phase reclamation of Hulhumale’ development project.

Managing Director of HDC Suhail Ahmed told Sun today that they are now looking at Himmafushi lagoon, the third area determined for the survey.

“The surveyors have said that the sand in Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu are not the most suitable [for reclamation]. Survey work in Himmafushi area will also conclude in a week. If we can’t find sand from the places we’ve determined now, we’ll start looking at other areas in the Maldives,” Suhail said.

The agreed date to sign the reclamation contract with Belgium based company Dredging International has already passed. Suhail said HDC will have to determine the sand collection areas before they can sign the contract with Dredging International.

HDC revealed earlier that Dredging International has agreed to complete reclamation of the total planned area of 240 hectares within 8 months and finish construction of breakwaters within 1 year of commencement of the project, for a total sum of $59 million.