A major land reclamation project is poised to commence on Hithaadhoo, Baa Atoll, a development eagerly anticipated by its residents to alleviate a severe land shortage.
The project, awarded to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) for around USD 8.9 million will see 15 hectares of new land dredged from the lagoon.
The contract was formally signed in August of last year during a visit by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, where the island council's paramount request was to solve the critical lack of land. With a population of around 1,400 people and no room for expansion, housing opportunities on the island have been completely closed, hindering growth.
MTCC has confirmed that all necessary dredging equipment was delivered to Hithaadhoo last month, and preliminary work is already underway. Crews are currently constructing a boundary wall within the lagoon to demarcate the area slated for reclamation. Upon completion, the new land will be secured with 691 metres of revetment and six groynes of 25 metres in length to prevent erosion.
Scheduled for completion within one year and three months, the project is expected to unlock vital space for new housing and economic activities, providing a sustainable solution for the island's future development.