Area where construction debris was dumped during installation of lifts at Hiyaa Tower 5 turned into a massive landfill, sparking widespread public outrage

Residents have begun voicing concerns over the accumulation of construction debris near the newly installed elevators in Hiyaa Tower 5, located in Hulhumalé Phase 2. The area has reportedly transformed into a major eyesore and waste site due to the failure to clear the rubble for an extended period.

According to information received regarding the matter, the accumulation of waste in the area was initially caused by debris left behind during the installation of the elevator. As members of the public continued to discard trash onto these piles of rubble, the area has now become so overwhelmed with refuse that it is obstructing the elevator entrance. Given that this is a high-traffic entry point for residents, the situation has become a significant nuisance, causing major difficulties for those living in the building.

Residents of the tower noted that each apartment pays a monthly maintenance fee of MVR 1,000. They argued that while the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) generates a substantial income from the 6,000 flats, it is unacceptable for such essential issues to remain unresolved for an extended period.

People started dumping garbage there simply because of the pile of stones left at the site. Now, the area directly in front of the elevator is completely filled with trash. Some might argue that it is the residents who are littering. Fine, people should not be dumping waste there. However, not every resident in that tower is responsible for this. Even if a few individuals are at fault, the rest of the residents should not be forced to live amidst a pile of filth just because others are littering. If people are dumping trash, shouldn't that be monitored? Shouldn't those responsible be fined? The building is neither being monitored nor secured, and it certainly isn't being cleaned. If this is the case, what is the purpose of the maintenance fee we are being charged?

A citizen expresses concern

Residents claim that complaints regarding this issue were submitted to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) several months ago. However, as no efforts have been made to clean the area to date, many believe the HDC remains "fast asleep" on the matter.

Regarding the matter, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) stated that they were already aware of the situation in the area and have since brought the issue to the attention of the relevant department. However, the corporation did not disclose a specific date for when the cleanup of the area would be completed.