Website for Gulhifalhu reclamation project launched

A designated website for the reclamation project of Gulhifalhu has been launched. 

The Ministry of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said that the new website will provide details on the progress of the project, environmental impact works, and measures taken to reduce any such impacts. 

Complaints regarding the project by the public can also be lodged via the website. 

The reclamation of Gulhifalhu is for the purpose of establishing an international port in Male’ City and is awarded to Boskalis Westminster Contracting LTD. The project is worth MVR 817 million (USD 53 million).

A 20 million cubic meter area of land is to be reclaimed under the project and was commenced in May. The project is expected to take up to nine to 14 months to complete. 

Public concern against the project and its environmental impact has been expressed before. The project is feared to impact more than 30 reefs near Male’ Atoll. The project’s Environmental Impact Assessment also stated that the project could cause damage to the surrounding ecosystem.

However, the Environmental Protection Agency said that it was monitoring the project daily and that no significant harm had been caused by the project yet. Corals in the area have also been relocated to other locations for fear of being destroyed. 

Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam said that there was no other alternative but to reclaim Gulhifalhu. The location is to be the main international port of the nation.