President: Technical works in progress on underwater tunnel, but priority is Rasmale’ reclamation

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that technical works are in progress on a planned underwater tunnel to link Rasmale’ with Male’, but that the priority of the administration is to complete land reclamation in Rasmale’.

President Muizzu was asked about the progress on the underwater tunnel project during a press briefing Monday morning.

Responding to these questions, President Muizzu said that technical works related to the tunnel are being carried out. But he stressed that the administration’s current focus is on completing land reclamation works in Rasmale’ by the end of April.

He said that the contractor has already reclaimed closed to 500 hectors of land.

“We are prioritizing land reclamation. Our focus is on that and related planning and infrastructure works,” he said.

President Muizzu said that unlike the previous administration, his administration wishes to issue housing from land that is already reclaimed.

The 2026 budget has an allocation of MVR 799 million for construction of the Thilamale’ Bridge and the Male’-Rasmale’ tunnel – making for one-third of the MVR 2.4 billion budgeted for transport infrastructure development projects.

President Muizzu had announced his vision for a transparent underwater tunnel linking Male’ and Rasmale’ back in January 2024. When questioned about this, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib said that such technology does not currently exist, but the government will pursue the vision.