Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has begun land reclamation work for the development of “Hoarafushi Airport” in Haa Alif atoll Maafinolhu.

While MTCC was officially contracted with the land reclamation project to develop an airport in late May by the Ministry of Tourism, the contracting company had revealed on Monday that they have begun work to reclaim land in the island.

MTCC is to reclaim 16 hectares of land for the airport development project and the contract estimates the project to cost MVR 64 million without Goods and Services Tax (GST).

While coast protection is also to be established under the project, MTCC estimates that the project will be completed within 203 days or seven months.

Land reclamation work has begun after the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) needed for the development of Hoarafushi Airport in Maafinolhu was completed and the approval came through.

MTCC plans to reclaim land for the airport and a 1.2 Kilometer-long runway. It has been reported that MTCC does not plan to connect Maafinolhu and Hoarafushi islands in this project.