Practical work on land reclamation and shore protection has commenced in Madaveli, in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
The project was officially inaugurated by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef at a special ceremony held on the island. Also in attendance were State Minister at the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Ismail Hameed; Deputy Managing Director of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Mohamed Jamsheed; Member of Parliament for the Madaveli constituency, Mohamed Shameez; President of the Madaveli Council, Fiyaz Hassan; alongside council members and representatives of the island’s Women’s Development Committee (WDC).
The project has been awarded to MTCC at a cost of USD 11.3 million, with completion scheduled within 400 days.
According to MTCC, the second phase of the project will involve dredging 19.17 hectares of land. Coastal protection measures will include the construction of 1,645 metres of revetment and 120 metres of groynes. Under the first phase, 8.85 hectares of land will be dredged, with a further 35 hectares to be reclaimed from the lagoon.
Madaveli, which has a population of approximately 2,000 residents, has long faced a shortage of adequate housing. MTCC stated that, upon completion of the land reclamation and shore protection works, residents are expected to benefit from improved housing availability. MTCC also emphasised that the coastal protection measures will help mitigate environmental challenges such as flash flooding and coastal inundation.
During a previous community outreach visit, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu pledged to address the island’s priorities, including land reclamation and shore protection, and assured residents that practical work would commence.
The launch of this project is therefore expected to strengthen public confidence and demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the community.