Kudahuvadhoo Road Development Project: Work halts as government fails to pay contractor, leaving residents in distress!

The Kudahuvadhoo Island Council has expressed serious concern over the stalled road construction project in Dhaalu Atoll Kudahuvadhoo, noting that protruding junctions—some rising seven inches above the ground—are causing significant difficulties for residents.

In an interview with RaajjeTV, Kudahuvadhoo Council President Mohamed Saleem stated that the road construction project was initiated in Kudahuvadhoo under the broader redevelopment program launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in December 2023. Saleem further noted that the project had been progressing steadily since its commencement at that time.

However, Mohamed Saleem noted that work has stalled since March, after the roads were excavated and the topsoil removed to lay the ABC base layer. He further highlighted that because the drains and junctions now sit at an elevated level, ambulances are unable to navigate these streets, causing significant hardship for the general public.

The current state of these drainage gutters has rendered numerous streets inaccessible to ambulances. Many residents have reported significant vehicle damage, including punctured tires on motorcycles and cars, and even bumpers being torn off after catching on the edges of these drains. Furthermore, during the rainy season, these streets become heavily flooded, submerging the gutters entirely. This lack of visibility has led to several incidents where pedestrians and motorists have sustained physical injuries.

Mohamed Saleem

Despite the current state of the roads, Mohamed Saleem noted that to date, the ABC layer has not been laid on any street other than the one where the residence of Kudahuvadhoo MP Hussain Hameed is located. He further stated that more than four months have passed without asphalt paving commencing on any of the roads.

This project is being carried out by a subcontractor commissioned by the Road Development Corporation (RDC).

Kudahuvadhoo Council President Mohamed Saleem stated that the council has held discussions with the Road Development Corporation (RDC) regarding the suspension of the project.

They claim the project is ongoing and attribute the delays to difficulties in procuring necessary materials. However, in informal discussions, some officials have suggested that the contractor has halted work because the government has failed to release the required funds.

Mohamed Saleem

The agreement for the Kudahuvadhoo road construction project was signed with the Road Development Corporation (RDC) in September 2021, during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. Under this agreement, the project involves laying asphalt on 5.85 kilometers of roads in Kudahuvadhoo, along with the installation of drainage systems and street lighting.