Faresmaathoda Launches $24M Harbor, Land Reclamation, and Road Projects

The government has launched a major infrastructure development package for Faresmaathoda in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, with projects valued at over USD 23.9 million aimed at transforming the island's economy and connectivity. Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef inaugurated the works, which include land reclamation, harbor development, and road modernization. The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) holds the contracts for all components. The land reclamation project will create 18 hectares of new land, protected by 620 meters of rock revetment, at a cost of USD 9.2 million. It is scheduled for completion within 270 days. The larger Faresmaathoda Harbour and Boat Yard Development Project is budgeted at USD 14.7 million with a 780-day timeline. It involves extensive seabed excavation, the construction of over 1,760 meters of seawall, and the installation of more than a kilometer of revetment and groynes. Key deliverables include over 9,200 square meters of paved area and a 36-meter concrete bridge, designed to boost maritime safety and operational capacity. Concurrently, the island's main roads will be upgraded with asphalt surfacing, a new drainage system, and modern street lighting to improve public mobility and safety. The inauguration ceremony was attended by State Minister for Construction, Housing and Building Ismail Hameed, MTCC Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Jamsheed, MP Ashraf Rasheed, Island Council President Ahmed Imthiyaz, and local committee representatives. The government reiterated its flexible approach to national infrastructure, noting that while modernization proceeds, it respects local preferences—particularly in tourism-active islands where natural sandy roads may be preserved with state support for maintenance.