Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has begun the development work of Artificial Beach westward in capital city Malé.

The development is being carried out under a contract made with MTCC during the previous administration of President Abdulla Yameen.

The Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure and MTCC signed the contract in May 2018.

According to the ministry, MVR 13.7 million had been handed over to MTCC for the project out of which MVR 10 million comes from the state budget and over MVR 3 million under MTCC's CSR project.

According to Malé City Mayor Shamau Shareef, the plot has been handed over to MTCC and they will begin work to develop the region after fencing off the area and in a way that does not create difficulties for the public.

Mayor Shareef said that they have made small changes to the design.

MTCC will first begin work to maintain the coast area, said Shamau.

Earlier, former Minister of Housing, Muizzu had stated that the beach is to be developed under the same concept as Rasfannu in Maafannu ward of capital city Male', with similar facilities such as an outdoor gym, outdoor showers as well as cafés. Muizzu also said that MTCC will be carrying out the task of the beach's development under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Alongside MTCC other such companies will also be carrying out some of the development work under the CSR initiative.

Since then, cafés and restaurants in the area have been vacated and the area has been left vacant for the past few months.

Besides the beach development project, the city council is also developing other regions in the capital city. As such, work has begun to develop a park in the “Raalhugandu” area.