Government to Allow Essential Services on Private Plots in Hulhumalé Phase II

The government plans to permit the establishment of essential services on privately owned plots in Hulhumalé Phase II, aiming to increase accessibility to critical amenities for residents. This policy shift would allow land currently designated solely for residential use to host private sector investments such as clinics and shops. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, announced the initiative during the inauguration of a project to install additional lifts in the Hiyaa towers. He highlighted that more than 2,000 plots have already been allocated to residents of Malé across Hulhumalé Phases II and III, but their current residential-only status limits the growth of local services. Dr. Muththalib argued that Hulhumalé residents should have the same opportunities as those in Malé, where essential services are frequently operated from privately owned land. By allowing these services on private plots, the government intends to bypass the current reliance on the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to allocate specific land for commercial or healthcare purposes. “At present, if someone wishes to build a private hospital, they can only do so if HDC allocates land specifically for that purpose,” the minister stated. He emphasized that utilizing existing public plots would create new jobs, strengthen the local economy, and provide residents with greater convenience. Beyond land use, the minister addressed the challenges facing residents of the Hiyaa housing scheme. He acknowledged that many families in two-bedroom flats have outgrown their current spaces but face limited options for upgrading to larger accommodation. While no specific policy was announced, Dr. Muththalib assured that the government is exploring solutions to improve living standards and provide pathways to larger, higher-quality homes. The government intends to work closely with the private sector to refine the implementation of the new land-use policy, ensuring that existing plot allocations are optimized to meet the growing needs of the community.