Thulhaadhoo Airport Land reclamation halted despite Pres. Muizzu’s pledge of rapid, uninterrupted progress

The Thulhaadhoo Airport land reclamation project, which President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu personally assured would proceed “without interruption” and at “high speed,” has come to a halt less than two months after it began.

Reclamation work officially commenced on August 12, with President Muizzu addressing Thulhaadhoo residents and pledging swift and uninterrupted completion of what he described as the island's most vital development project. However, in stark contrast to those assurances, only about one hectare of the planned 55 hectares has been reclaimed to date.

According to credible sources familiar with the situation, the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), which is overseeing the project, has begun dismantling infrastructure and removing the pipeline used to support dredging operations, clear indications that the project has been suspended. The cutter suction dredger used for reclamation is reportedly preparing to depart.

Initially, the reclamation was to involve sand extraction solely for the construction of the revetment wall. However, the scope shifted mid-project, and deeper areas within the reclamation zone were filled using the cutter suction dredger. President Muizzu previously justified the use of this equipment by stating it was stipulated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. He also announced plans to amend the EIA to allow the use of hopper dredgers, which he claimed would accelerate the project and address concerns about the environmental impact on Thulhaadhoo’s lagoon.

Despite these statements, no amendment to the EIA has been published by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), raising questions about the transparency and legality of the changes. Compounding these concerns, visual evidence from the project site shows that no revetment wall has been constructed, a standard requirement in EIAs for such projects to mitigate sedimentation and protect surrounding marine ecosystems.

The lack of even basic environmental safeguards, combined with the absence of formal documentation to support the claimed amendment, highlights serious procedural lapses and undermines the government's credibility on both environmental protection and project management.

While Muizzu has repeatedly emphasized that this airport project is a top development priority for Thulhaadhoo, the abrupt cessation of work suggests otherwise. Insiders say MTCC has instructed staff to suspend operations and prepare for vessel departure, though no official explanation has been provided to the public.

This sudden halt starkly contrasts with the president’s repeated public declarations that he would fulfill his promises with sincerity and diligence. As the cutter suction dredger prepares to leave, questions remain unanswered about the status of the promised hopper dredger and whether the project will resume at all.

The suspension of work on what was touted as a flagship regional development project raises serious doubts about the administration’s planning, execution, and commitment to its pledges, casting a shadow over broader infrastructure initiatives promised under the current government.