Minister Muththalib responds 306 days after being questioned on Hithadhoo Causeway delays: Progress stalled due to excessive projects awarded by previous administration!

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has stated that the delay in the L. Hithadhoo causeway project is due to the excessive number of projects awarded by the previous administration.

The Minister attended Monday's parliamentary sitting to respond to an inquiry submitted last September by the Member of Parliament for the Maavah constituency, Ahmed Shakir. The MP’s inquiry sought clarification on the specific commencement and completion dates for the physical works of the L. Hithadhoo causeway project.

Appearing before Parliament 306 days after the initial inquiry was submitted, the Minister stated that the project agreement was signed on January 22, 2023, with MTCC mobilizing at the site on September 2, 2023.

The Minister stated that only preliminary survey work had been conducted previously, and that the physical implementation of the project commenced under the current administration. The Minister further noted that following the completion of the surveys and design phase, the project has now transitioned into the physical construction stage.

According to the Minister, physical work on this project commenced on October 20, 2025.

While survey work and borehole investigations had commenced previously, those efforts failed to progress effectively. In reality, the physical construction work only truly began under the current administration.

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdulla Muththalib

However, the Minister acknowledged that the work is not progressing at the desired pace. Nevertheless, he was unable to specify a particular reason why the project could not be carried out at the required speed.

The Minister stated that the project is expected to be completed by mid-2028, at which point the causeway will be open for public use.

However, during the questioning of the Minister, MP Shakir noted that the installation of "L-blocks" at the site had come to a standstill due to a cement shortage. The member further inquired whether the project was facing a lack of funds or if the allocated budget had not been secured.

In response to that question, the Minister reiterated that work is not progressing at the rapid pace the government desires. The Minister further noted that there are approximately 40 billion rufiyaa worth of projects signed by the previous administration. He explained that delays are inevitable as the government manages these existing commitments alongside its own developmental agenda.

This project has been awarded for 81 million Rufiyaa, with a scheduled completion timeline of 500 days.

Under this project, the scope of work includes the construction of a 390-meter revetment, two bridges totaling 157.5 meters, and a 714-meter road.