HDC to arrange virtual inspection of \'Hiyaa\' housing units, due to Covid-19 fears
A physical inspection cannot be conducted in light of the ongoing pandemic
Housing units under the \'Hiyaa\' housing scheme
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is to make arrangements to inspect the Commercial Area of 7,000 housings units developed under the ‘Hiyaa’ housing project, virtually.
In a statement issued on its website on Thursday, the corporation revealed that registrations were opened for the open day for the commercial area of 7,000 Hiyaa project, on July 9.
The announcement on Thursday is in reference to the announcement for open day registration and states that due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and in light of the increase in number of confirmed cases, HDC has decided against holding the open day as a physical site visit.
However, a link for a virtual walkthrough of commercial area is to be uploaded on HDC’s websitewww.hdc.com.mvand properties.hdc.com.mv for the general public, at a later date.
The corporation has assured that they will make a public announcement when the link is available.
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited was tasked with the construction of 16 25-story towers under the “Hiyaa” scheme. An agreement was signed between the state and the company on July 20, 2016, to complete the project within two years. The construction work under the project commenced on December 19, 2017. The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) recently revealed that 90 percent of the project has been completed.
The government of Maldives conducted the project after acquiring a loan of USD 434 million. While the ‘Hiyaa’ project was initially launched to provide 7,000 housing units, the government has since decided to issue 6,720 flats to the people.
This is because the ground floors of the towers are to be used to run shops, for security purposes as well as waste maintenance and administrative work.
The project drew public criticism, after photos and videos of what the apartments look like on the inside, began circulating among the people. Some citizens have voiced concern over the additional expenses as well as inadequate spaces at the flats. Recipients of the flats are required to lay tiles, install doors, ceiling fans as well as lights, electrical wiring and TV cables themselves.
