Madaveli-Hoadedhdhoo causeway project commences

Work has commenced on the project to connect Madaveli and Hoadedhdhoo via a causeway.

Madaveli and Hoadedhdhoo are already connected by a causeway, but due to structural issues in the causeway’s angling and location, the two islands have faced floods by swelling waves and erosion.

Under the MVR 84 million project, MRCC will develop a new causeway in an area of 4,600 square metres. The causeway will be strengthened by asphalt, will enable water flow, and will have the capacity to carry heavy-load vehicles.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in GDh. Hoadehdhoo Wednesday afternoon, MTCC CEO Adam Azim said the issue of erosion faced by the two islands will also be resolved once the new causeway is completed.

Four islands will be connected by the causeway this time:

Kannigiraa and Hadhoo are uninhabited islands between Hoadedhdhoo and Madaveli.

"Since these two islands are economically viable, the bridge will bring economic developmental opportunities to Madaveli as well as Hoadedhdhoo," said Azim.

Madaveli MP Firushan said the people of Madaveli and Hoadedhdhoo have lived in fear for the past three to four years.

"It was impossible to predict when the waves would swell and flood the islands, or even to predict when the flooding would be over. So much time has passed with the people of  these islands becoming clueless on how to prevent the flooding, as well dealing with the mass destruction it causes every time," he said.

Madaveli suffered the most severe damages in the heavy rainfall on July 1. All but 10 houses in Madaveli were flooded and property damage was extensive. 

"Unlike the previous causeway, it will provide a total solution to the environmental issues that have arisen from it," Firushan said.

According to Hoadedhdhoo Council, the causeway causes tidal surges, which have killed natural life on 6.7 hectares of land and caused serious damage to the soil. If the causeway is not removed within 1.5 years, more than 30 percent of the island's land will be damaged, the Council said.

Madaveli - Hoadedhdhoo Causeway Project: