101 hectares’ land reclaimed for Rasmale’ project

A total of 101 hectares of land has been dredged for the development of Rasmalé’, a key project aimed at finding a long-term solution to Malé’s housing crisis.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced Sunday that, as of the 13th of this month, 101 hectares have been reclaimed under the project. This includes 29 hectares dredged by Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company (CMCC), and 72 hectares from four sites managed by Mohan Mutha Exports.

HDC emphasised that the reclaimed land so far exceeds half the total area reclaimed in Hulhumalé Phase 1. In total, the Rasmale’ project plans to dredge 1,009 hectares.

Alongside dredging, beach protection work is now being prepared. HDC said Rasmalé’s elevation will be 2.5 metres above sea level, an additional 0.5 metres higher than Hulhumalé, to improve resilience against climate change and erosion.

The government envisions Rasmalé as an eco-city featuring 11,000 land plots and over 26,000 flats, marking the largest housing project in Maldivian history. Once completed, Rasmalé will be three times the size of Hulhumalé, including Phase 2, and will also accommodate businesses, industries, and tourism.

Meanwhile, a year ago, HDC had awarded CMCC a contract to dredge 1,153 hectares at Fushidhiggaru Falhu, with land grants in Hulhumalé and Fushi Dhiggaru Falhu as part of the compensation. However, progress fell behind schedule, leading the government to terminate the agreement last May.

Despite the termination, government sources confirmed that HDC will pay CMCC $21 million for the 29 hectares they successfully dredged.