Madaveli Begins $11.3 Million Land Reclamation to Alleviate Housing Shortage

Practical work on a major land reclamation and shore protection project has officially begun in Madaveli, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The $11.3 million initiative, inaugurated by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, aims to address the island's critical housing shortage and protect its coastline from environmental threats. The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) will execute the project over 400 days. The first phase involves dredging 8.85 hectares of land, with a second phase set to reclaim an additional 35 hectares from the lagoon, creating a total of over 19 hectares of new land. To safeguard the island, the project includes constructing 1,645 meters of revetment and 120 meters of groynes. For Madaveli's approximately 2,000 residents, the project promises significant relief from a long-standing lack of adequate housing. MTCC states the newly reclaimed land will improve housing availability. The coastal protection infrastructure is also designed to mitigate frequent challenges like flash flooding and coastal erosion. The project's launch fulfills a pledge made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during a prior community outreach visit, where he committed to addressing the island's top priorities. Officials present at the inauguration ceremony included State Minister for Construction Ismail Hameed, MTCC Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Jamsheed, MP for Madaveli Mohamed Shameez, and Madaveli Council President Fiyaz Hassan. The government expects this development to strengthen public confidence by demonstrating its commitment to resolving community-identified concerns across the atolls.