Housing Ministry hands over 41 additional land plots under the Binnveriyaa Scheme

The Housing Ministry on Thursday handed over 41 additional land plots under the government’s Binnveriyaa Scheme.

According to the ministry, 1,260 people had received their land registration documents between July 12 and August 28, after which the physical handover of plots began on September 14 last year.

The land being issued under the scheme is linked to the Gulhifalhu reclamation project, which began in July 2024. The government previously announced that dredging and reclamation were contracted to Boskalis of the Netherlands for USD 120 million (MVR 2 billion).

The former administration conducted a lottery draw to determine land recipients. However, the current government revised the land‑use plan twice, followed by a fresh draw before issuing the registry.

The previous government had also amended the land allocation agreement, arguing that the original terms were unlawful. The earlier agreement required recipients to vacate their Gulhifalhu plot if they owned less than 600 square feet of land in the Male' area. Under a new rule introduced by the Housing Ministry, this condition has been broadened to apply to land ownership anywhere in the Maldives.

Housing Minister Dr. Abdullah Muthalib previously said the change was necessary to align with Article 11 of the Land Act, which outlines the criteria for land allocation.

Since the revision, some landowners have raised concerns over the new requirement.