Gemanafushi Launches $4.9M Road Modernization to Combat Flooding

A major road modernization project is now underway in Gemanafushi, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, with construction beginning on March 18. The Road Development Corporation Limited (RDC) is leading the work to upgrade five key roads, a project awarded last June and valued at USD 4.94 million. The initiative is a key part of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the island's administrative and industrial zones. The comprehensive upgrade goes beyond simple paving. It includes the full installation of zigzag interlocking blocks, street lighting, tree pits, and drainage canals. A central feature is a modern stormwater management system specifically designed to address the island's persistent flooding issues. Additional work will involve laying carbstone pathways, installing road signs, and integrating junctions for future utility cables, all aimed at improving safety and accessibility for residents. This project in Gemanafushi is part of a broader nationwide push by the RDC to improve island infrastructure. The corporation is prioritizing sustainable and resilient designs over traditional methods, focusing on solutions like improved sand roads and enhanced flood defenses that are better suited to local Maldivian conditions, especially on tourism-reliant islands. The government states this investment underscores its commitment to equitable development across the country's atolls.