Trees cut down in preparation for construction of Link Road

Preparations are underway, including the cutting down of palm trees in the area, for the construction of the Link Road in Laamu Atoll.

The project is funded by the government of China.

An official of the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure told Sun Online that as included in the initial design, efforts are ongoing to cut down some palm trees in the area. He said that 357 palm trees would be cut down in Maandhoo, while 443 would be cut down in Kadhdhoo, 1,282 in Gan, and 454 in Fonadhoo.

A resident of Laamu Atoll told Sun Online that the purpose of cutting down the trees was to make space for the road, and that some trees would also be cut down in the woods in Fonadhoo.

He said that the palm trees belong to the island councils and the atoll council, and would be opened for bidding.

The $30 million project is expected to be completed in 18 months.

The 15.1 km road would connect the islands of Fonadhoo and Gan in Laamu Atoll. The project will be carried out by China’s Jiangsu Provincial Transport Engineering Group. The agreement regarding this project was signed between the two governments during the visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Maldives, in September 2014.