The land reclamation project in Maafushi island of Kaafu atoll has officially begun on Wednesday.

This is the first land reclamation project to have begun since the new administration took over in November 2018.

The project was initiated to bring a solution for the lack of space in Maafushi island and 25 hectares are being reclaimed after linking the island with a causeway.

The Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure revealed that the project was contracted to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company to be completed within 249 days, for total of MVR 99,981,373.

As part of the project, 25 hectares of land will be reclaimed and MTCC will be establishing a revetment measuring 1,110 meters.

Reclaiming land in the island, known as one of the fastest-growing and first-ever islands to have introduced guesthouse tourism, was included in incumber President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s electoral pledges.

The area will be reclaimed for a “resort design”, said the ministry, that went on to add that Maafushi is a major part of the country’s tourism industry.

Land will be allocated for locals to build their homes, businesses as well as tourism in the newly reclaimed area.

Further, the ministry revealed that the land reclamation project in Guraidhoo island in Kaafu atoll will also commence in the near future.