The reclamation of 1,009 hectares from the 1,153-hectare Fushidhiggaru Falhu lagoon forms a central component of the Ras Malé Project, one of the largest initiatives undertaken to address the nation’s housing challenges.

To date, a total of 129.60 hectares of land has been reclaimed, amounting to 12.84 per cent of the overall project area. This figure is comparable to the volume of land reclaimed during the first phase of the Hulhumalé development.

Two contractors, Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company (CMCC) and Mohan Mutha Exports, were initially awarded the dredging works, which are divided into 11 designated zones. To accelerate progress, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) was additionally engaged in August of this year.

According to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), ongoing site activities include the mobilisation of equipment and resources, along with the installation of bund walls to enable controlled reclamation operations. HDC further confirmed that the dredger has arrived in the Maldives and work is scheduled to resume this week. China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is tasked with reclaiming 265 hectares from Site C of the Ras Malé project.

In terms of overall progress, 29 hectares have been reclaimed at Site J, where shore protection works are due to commence. At Sites D, F, G and L, a total of 100.6 hectares has been reclaimed from the planned 349 hectares. Meanwhile, reclamation of 321 hectares is planned across Sites A, B, H and I.

Upon completion, Ras Malé is projected to be comparable in scale to Hulhumalé Phase 3, with reclaimed ground levels raised to 2.5 metres above mean sea level, providing enhanced resilience against tidal and climatic impacts.

As part of the environmental management plan, coral colonies from the reclamation footprint are being systematically relocated and farmed in designated sites.

The Government plans to develop Ras Malé as an eco-city, with 11,000 land plots and more than 26,000 flats. In addition to housing, the project will include areas designated for business activities, industrial use, and tourism development.