Reclamation of Rasmale’ resumes

Reclamation works resumed on Sunday on the Rasmale’ Project – the incumbent People’s National Congress (PNC) administration’s biggest housing project.

Physical works on reclaiming 1,153 hectors of land from K. Fushidhiggaru Falhu under the Rasmale’ project was launched on December 18. The administration had initially aimed to complete reclamation works in eight months. However, the works have remained stalled for months.

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced that reclamation works resumed on Sunday.

“We are pleased to announce that we have resumed the reclamation work for Rasmalé Area F, marking another step forward in our community’s growth and development,” said the HDC in a post on X.

The corporation did not provide any details.

The reclamation of Rasmalé Area F has resumed today. #BuildingBeyondHorizons #WithHDC pic.twitter.com/e6X13hxccN

— Housing Development Corporation (@hdcmaldives) November 10, 2024

The reclamation works were originally contracted to Sri Lanka’s Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company (CMC). According to the terms of the contract, CMC would bear the cost of the project in exchange for 70 hectors of land for long-term lease, including 10 hectors from Hulhumale’ for 49 years and 60 hectors from Rasmale’ for 50 years.

But the administration later cancelled the contract, citing it wants to pursue an option where the contractor would not need to be awarded land in exchange.

During a visit to China in January, Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar said that the Maldivian administration plans on building 30,000 social housing units in Rasmale’ with support from China.

The administration has allocated MVR 600 million for the project in the 2025 budget, and plans on allocating another MVR 350 million for the project in 2026.

The Rasmale’ project is opposed by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who believe public funds should be utilized to complete the ‘Binveriya’ scheme, under which thousands have been awarded land from Hulhumale’, Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru Falhu.