Causeway Delays Continue to Concern Naalaafushi Residents
2 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 09:22The Naalaafushi Island Council has expressed grave concern over the prolonged suspension and lack of progress updates regarding the causeway project intended to link M. Naalaafushi with M. Muli. According to the council, the delay is causing significant hardship for residents who rely heavily on Muli for essential services, including education and employment opportunities. Highlighting the logistical challenges faced by the community, the council and local residents are urgently calling on the authorities to expedite the project's completion.
Causeway project vital for Naalaafushi’s educational and employment prospects; delays spark growing concern. | Raajje MV
The Naalaafushi Island Council has expressed deep concern over the suspension of the causeway project intended to link M. Muli and M. Naalaafushi, noting a complete lack of updates regarding the status of the work.
In an interview with RaajjeTV, the Naalaafushi Council stated that while this project is closely tied to the hopes and aspirations of the island's residents, the lack of progress has caused significant hardship for the community.
The council described this project as a long-standing promise that successive administrations have pledged to the people. The council further noted that despite being discussed since the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the project had failed to see any practical progress until now.
Although this project was awarded to a contractor during the previous MDP administration, the work failed to make satisfactory progress at that time.
The project to develop a causeway linking M. Muli and Naalaafushi was awarded to MTCC by the MDP administration on August 30, 2023. The Muli-Naalaafushi causeway project is valued at MVR 125,587,778.40. The contractor was granted a period of 600 days to complete the project.
The council noted that the project has remained stalled since the current administration took office. They further stated that relevant government authorities have failed to provide any information regarding the reasons for the suspension or any updates on the project's progress. The council views this continued inaction as a significant obstacle to the island's development.
The primary reason this causeway is vital for the residents of Naalaafushi is the deep integration of the island’s education and employment sectors with the institutions in Muli. Although a ferry service is currently provided for students commuting from Naalaafushi, they face significant risks and hardships during periods of inclement weather and rough seas.
Furthermore, many residents of Naalaafushi are currently forced to commute across the sea daily to access employment opportunities in Muli. The Council noted that connecting the two islands via a causeway would provide significant social and economic relief to the people of Naalaafushi. Consequently, the residents have expressed a profound desire for the project to be expedited.
