Male-Ras Malé Underwater Tunnel Contractor Yet to Be Selected

Despite President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s 2024 announcement that feasibility studies for an underwater glass tunnel connecting Malé and Ras Malé had commenced, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has stated that a contractor for the project has yet to be selected.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu first pledged to construct an underwater glass tunnel connecting Malé and Ras Malé in January 2024. Following this, in February 2024, the President detailed that the tunnel would feature a train line, offering passengers scenic views of the underwater environment during their commute. He further noted at the time that feasibility studies had already commenced in collaboration with specialized companies capable of undertaking the project.

A written response from the Ministry of Infrastructure to an inquiry by RaajjeTV, dated July 15, 2024, has revealed that President Muizzu’s assertion regarding the commencement of the project's feasibility study in 2024 is factually incorrect.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development has stated that the evaluation of proposals submitted for the project's feasibility study is currently underway.

The Ministry of Infrastructure made these remarks following a press conference held at the President's Office on March 30 of this year, where President Muizzu stated that technical assessments and feasibility studies for the underwater glass tunnel project are currently underway.

Following the President's remarks, Minister of Infrastructure Abdulla Muththalib clarified during a press conference at the President's Office on October 28, 2024, that constructing a tunnel to Fushidhiggaru Lagoon—now known as Ras Malé—would be an unprecedented global undertaking. He emphasized that his previous comments did not refer to any existing infrastructure currently built in the open sea anywhere in the world.

"As you are aware, when John F. Kennedy envisioned the mission to the moon, it wasn't because anyone had ever accomplished such a feat before," Muththalib stated.

The Infrastructure Minister further stated that the tunnel construction project cannot be managed within a conventional timeline, describing it as an extraordinary undertaking that exceeds standard project parameters.

Following reports regarding the project, RaajjeTV has submitted a formal inquiry to the Ministry of Infrastructure under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, seeking clarification on whether the government has decided to halt the construction of the proposed underwater glass tunnel.

In response to that question, the Ministry stated that "the construction of the underwater glass tunnel between Malé and Rasmalé has not been halted."

In response to inquiries regarding the current progress of the project, the identity of the surveying firm and the contract value, as well as the estimated completion date for the glass tunnel connecting Malé and Ras Malé as pledged by the President, the Ministry of Infrastructure stated: "As this project is currently in the tendering stage, the requested information is not available at the Ministry."

The Ministry has announced that the evaluation of proposals is currently underway for the consultancy services required to conduct the preparation and feasibility study for the "Ras Malé Transport Master Plan." This project includes the proposed construction of an underwater glass tunnel connecting Malé and Ras Malé.

During a press conference held on March 30 of this year, President Muizzu stated, "The technical work and research for this are currently underway."