Half of RasMalé Reclamation Completed, Government Warns of Project Delays

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, has announced that more than half of the RasMalé land reclamation project has been completed, marking a significant milestone in what is set to become the country’s largest housing development.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office today, Muththalib said the reclaimed area has already surpassed the 50 per cent mark. He added that the land reclaimed so far is equivalent in size to the combined landmass of Hulhumalé Phase 1 and Phase 2.

The Ras Malé project, inaugurated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on 18 December 2023, is a key component of the government’s housing strategy aimed at addressing congestion and population pressures in the Greater Malé region.

Despite the progress, the minister cautioned that major infrastructure projects are expected to face delays. He said ongoing government initiatives—including bridge construction and land reclamation—are being impacted by rising global fuel prices and challenges in sourcing construction materials.

According to Muththalib, the disruptions are linked to continuing conflicts in the Middle East, which have affected supply chains and increased costs for large-scale development projects.