Testing begins on additional lifts in 4 Hiya flat towers
The full installation across all 16 towers is expected to be completed by November 2025.
Testing of additional new lifts installed at Hulhumale Hiyaa towers began on Monday, marking an important milestone in a project aimed at addressing long-standing issues faced by residents.
In an update shared by Ahmed Ibrahim, the Chief Operating Officer of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), it was revealed that these new lifts are part of an initiative promised by President Mohamed Muizzu. According to Ibrahim, the new elevators are being tested for safety and are designed to be more spacious and efficient compared to the existing elevators in the Hiya Flat towers.
In his post, Ibrahim emphasized the significance of this development for the residents of the Hiya Flats: “President Muizzu's promise to solve the problems faced by the residents of the Hiya flats due to the lack of lifts for many years is being fulfilled. This huge lift will be a great relief for thousands of families living in the Hiya Flat towers.”
The elevator installation project, which began in April 2024, is progressing as scheduled. According to a senior HDC official, so far, additional elevators have been installed in four towers. The remaining 12 towers are set to have their elevators installed in the coming months. The full installation across all 16 towers is expected to be completed by November 2025.
The official noted that the installation will continue with one or two towers receiving elevators each month. The work on the four towers was completed ahead of schedule, in line with the project agreement.
“The elevators will be released to the public after tests in the towers. A decision will be made this week,” the official added, indicating that once the tests are complete, the elevators will be made operational for residents.
The project involves the installation of two additional elevators in each of the 16 Hiya Flat towers, bringing the total number of new elevators to 32. The installation process includes building additional steel structures in the lobby areas of each tower to accommodate the larger and more spacious elevators.
The project was awarded to the Chinese company Shenyang Yuan Intellectual Group in April 2024. The total cost of the project is estimated at $18 million (MVR 278.3 million). These additional elevators are expected to significantly ease the burden on the current elevator system, which often struggles to accommodate the high number of residents.
The Hiya Flats, built during President Muizzu’s tenure as Housing Minister, were initially equipped with only three elevators in each tower. Given the large number of families residing in these towers, this limited capacity often leads to overcrowding, especially during peak hours. The addition of the new, larger elevators is expected to help alleviate these issues and improve the overall living conditions for thousands of residents.
The new elevators will not only reduce waiting times but also provide more comfort and convenience to the residents of the Hiya Flat towers, which have long awaited this critical infrastructure upgrade.
With the completion of this project, President Muizzu’s promise to improve the living conditions at the Hiya Flats is coming to fruition, providing much-needed relief to many families in Hulhumale'.
