EPA to Take Legal Action Against Afcons Infrastructure Over Vilimale’ Reef Damage Fine
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its intention to take legal action against Afcons Infrastructure, an Indian company, for its failure to pay a fine of MVR 69 million relating to damages caused to the Vilimale’ reef in the Maldives.
The incident occurred on August 16, 2022, when the Yuvraj, a self-elevating platform utilised by Afcons for the construction of the Thilamale’ Bridge, collided with the Vilimale’ reef. The platform was successfully refloated nearly two weeks later, on August 27, 2022.
Following an assessment conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it was revealed that the reef had sustained significant damage, resulting in the formation of four large craters.
In response to the environmental impact, the EPA imposed a fine of MVR 69 million on Afcons in November 2022. Despite attempts by the company to appeal the fine through the Environment Ministry and subsequently through the Civil Court, including a request for an injunction to delay payment, the fine remains unpaid, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
Afcons had initially been given a deadline of 30 days to settle the fine, which was later extended to November 2023. However, the company has failed to comply with these deadlines.
According to the EPA’s findings, the collision resulted in damage to a significant area of the reef, estimated to be approximately 2,755 square meters.