After delays and protests, Hulhumalé Phase III reclamation declared complete
Muizzu announced the completion of Hulhumalé Phase III land reclamation project, which began in September 2023 but stalled after the government change before resuming following public protests. The 63-hectare project was initiated to address housing needs and provide plots to 699 allocated individuals. The administration faces criticism for prioritizing new reclamation projects over completing existing ones.
The dredging component for Hulhumalé Phase III reclamation project, complete | MACL
The land reclamation project for Hulhumalé Phase III, initiated under the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to address the country’s housing crisis, has been officially completed.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the completion of the project during an event organized by the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) on Saturday.
In his address, Muizzu emphasized that housing continues to be a critical challenge nationwide and stated that substantial efforts have been undertaken over the past two years to address the issue. He further noted that with the completion of Hulhumalé Phase III, reclamation projects in Giraavaru Lagoon, Gulhifalhu, and Uthuru Thila Falhu are now advancing at an accelerated pace.
Physical work to reclaim 63 hectares of land for Hulhumalé Phase III began on 23 September 2023. However, the project experienced a period of stagnation following the change in government, with operations resuming only after public demonstrations by individuals who had been allocated plots in the area.
On 12 August 2024, then-Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar Ahmed stated that the 699 individuals who were granted plots from the Hulhumalé Phase III lagoon would receive their land by November of that year.
As Muizzu’s administration approaches its two-and-a-half-year mark, the government has come under public scrutiny for prioritizing the reclamation of Fushidhiggaru Lagoon and the development of Ras Malé, instead of focusing on the timely completion and handover of plots in previously established project areas.
