Hithaadhoo Land Reclamation Project Set to Begin, Project Worth MVR 137 Million

A major land reclamation project is set to begin on Hithaadhoo in Baa Atoll.

The project has been awarded to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) at a cost of MVR 137 million. It will involve dredging 15 hectares of new land from the lagoon.

The agreement was signed in August last year during a visit by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, following repeated requests from the island council to resolve the critical lack of land. With a population of around 1,400 and no available space for expansion, housing opportunities on the island have been fully constrained, limiting growth.

MTCC has confirmed that all required dredging equipment was delivered to the island last month, with preliminary works already underway. Current activities include the construction of a boundary wall within the lagoon to define the reclamation area.

Upon completion, the reclaimed land will be protected with 691 metres of revetment and six groynes, each measuring 25 metres, to mitigate erosion.

The project is scheduled to be completed within one year and three months, and is expected to create space for housing and economic activities, providing a long-term solution to the island’s development challenges.