Eydhafushi Opens $324,000 Recreational Beach to Restore Public Swimming Access

Eydhafushi in Baa Atoll has officially opened "Veshi Fannu," a new recreational beach and public square designed to restore safe swimming access for the island's residents. Developed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) following an initiative by the Eydhafushi Council, the facility was inaugurated on May 9. The project, which cost approximately USD 324,255, addresses a critical infrastructure gap left after land reclamation work in 2014. According to Council President Mohamed Fathih, the island had lacked a proper beach and swimming area for nearly a decade, a deficiency that had become a long-standing concern, particularly for senior citizens. “The project improves the quality of life of residents,” Fathih stated, noting that previous administrations had identified the need to restore beach areas within their land use plans. The new facility is already seeing significant use by residents of all ages, providing a dedicated space for leisure and exercise. To ensure the area remains safe and sustainable, the development included extensive coastal engineering. MTCC dredged 15,914 cubic metres of sand to create the swimming zone and installed 160 metres of geobag revetment. Additionally, the project features 60 metres of rock boulder breakwaters and 70 metres of groyne protection structures to safeguard the shoreline from erosion. The opening ceremony was attended by Member of Parliament Ahmed Saleem, MTCC Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Jamsheed, and President Mohamed Fathih. The completion of Veshi Fannu marks a significant step in enhancing the social infrastructure of Eydhafushi, returning a vital natural amenity to the community.