Planning Ministry Updates Land Use Plan for Kaafu Giraavaru Lagoon

The Ministry of Planning has announced amendments to the land use plan for the K. Giraavaru lagoon, formally updating the version that was gazetted on 15 October 2024.

The revised plan, published yesterday, sets out designated zones using colour-coded categories. These include areas allocated for commercial activities, community facilities, schools, hospitals, utilities, parks, and industrial use.

The government has previously stated that a new land use plan was required as earlier land allocations for Giraavaru did not provide sufficient space for essential public services. The amended plan has now been finalised and made available to the public.

The update comes amid broader development plans for the area. On 25 November 2025, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced that dredging works for the Giraavaru lagoon and Hulhumalé Phase III are expected to begin within three months. He indicated that the same two dredgers used for Hulhumalé Phase III would be deployed for the Giravaru project.

Under the previous administration’s Binnveriya housing scheme, 2,000 land plots were initially prepared in the area. The current government later decided to allocate the remaining land to Gulhifalhu and opened applications for land transfers on 7 April 2024.

A total of 2,210 applicants applied for land transfer to Gulhifalhu, with recipients selected through a lottery conducted in June.