The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been contracted with a number of development projects.

MTCC was contracted five development projects by the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure during a ceremony held at the ministry on Thursday.

The agreements were signed by CEO Adam Azim on behalf of MTCC and Director General Fathimath Shana Farooq on behalf of the planning ministry.

The ceremony to sign the Dhiffushi land reclamation and shore protection project was attended by Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseem.

Under the scope of the project, MTCC is required to conduct dredging and reclamation operations in an area measuring 799,356 cubic meters, shore protection structures including a revetment measuring 710 meters, a groyne measuring 670 meters, a 270-meter revetment and 300-meter groyne within the existing island.

The project, valued at MVR 169,921,000.80 was contracted to be completed within 450 days.

For the people of Dhiffushi island, with an estimated population of 1,400, the scarcity of land is a concerning issue. The project contracted on Thursday is a crucial project for the development of the island. Once land reclamation is complete, plots of land will be allocated for the island residents. Residents who lost their homes due to swell surges will also be given plots of land from the region to be reclaimed. Dhiffushi is one of the many islands that face the issue of soil erosion as well as swell wave surges during adverse weather conditions in the Maldives.

As part of the Huraa harbor development project, MTCC will be conducting harbor dredging operations in an area measuring 26,453 cubic meters, an additional area of 40,111 cubic meters as well as dredging for navigational aids in an area measuring 5,445 cubic meters.

MTCC is also required to construct a 210-meter revetment, an 86-meter breakwater, a 317-meter sand-fill breakwater and 176-meter quay wall.

The installation of a 37-meter apron, 19 mooring blocks, 32 street lights, two navigation lights, a concrete bridge, a concrete jetty and a pavement measuring 1,795 square meters are also included under the scope of the project which is valued at MVR 67,808,757.96. The project is to be completed within 540 days.

The Feydhoo harbor development project was contracted to MTCC to be completed within 540 days. It is valued at MVR 79,874,770.68.

The scope of the project includes conducting dredging operations in an area measuring 75,398 cubic meters, channel dredging operations in an area measuring 5,320 cubic meters as well as constructing a sand-fill breakwater and 20-meter submerged breakwater.

The construction of a 157-meter revetment, a 93-meter quay wall, a sand-fill breakwater quay wall measuring 352 meters, a scour apron of 93 meters, 24 mooring rings, 20 mooring buoys, a ramp, two concrete bridges and access platform are also included as part of the project.

The project will also see the installation of 35 harbor lights and a concrete pavement measuring 2,040 square meters.

The Gaadhiffushi harbor development project was contracted on a design and build basis and is valued at MVR 85,788,143.28.

MTCC is required to conduct excavating an area of the harbor measuring 47,243 cubic meters as well as excavating and channel dredging in an area measuring 12,335 meters.

A 227-meter revetment, 289-meter sand-fill breakwater, a 252-meter L-block sand-fill breakwater and 145-meter breakwater will also be constructed alongside a submerged breakwater measuring nine meters, a geoboard revetment measuring 204 meters and a quay wall measuring 318 meters.

MTCC will also be installing a concrete pavement measuring 1,365 square meters and two jetties under the scope of the project.

The company will be conducting reclamation operations in an area measuring 65,296 cubic meters alongside launch jetty work as part of the Thinadhoo industrial zone land reclamation and shore protection project.

As part of the project, MTCC will also be constructing a 474-meter revetment and 50-meter groynes.

The Thinadhoo industrial zone land reclamation and shore protection project is valued at MVR 57,684,668.40 and was contracted to be completed within 300 days.

South Thinadhoo MP Abdulla Saneef observed the signing ceremony.