First stage of Hulhumale dredging to complete in 2 days: Urbanco
The government decided to change the entire master plan and dredge the second phase of the lagoon for housing at the last minute.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
The first phase or Site A of the Hulhumale bay dredging section has not been completed by the scheduled date, but the area will be dredged within the next two days, Urbanco said on Sunday.
Under the Binnveriya scheme, the government has decided to provide land to the people of Male by reclaiming land in Hulhumale Phase 2 lagoon.
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Maldives's Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMC) was awarded the contract to dredge 62.6 hectares of land west of Hulhumale in August last year
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Dredging of Site-A started on 22nd last month
Urbanco had earlier said the 10-hectare Site-A would be completed by Friday.
However, the company said on Sunday that the work was hampered by the presence of construction waste and other debris in the area.
"There has been a delay in work due to the presence of large amounts of construction waste and other debris in the beach area of Marina Island. We are currently cleaning up the site," Urbanco said in a message sent to reporters.
"Now it is expected that dredging of Site-A will be completed within 2-1 days”.
According to an earlier drawing released by Urbanco, the Hulhumale Bay will be dredged in three parts. They include:
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Stage A covers 10 hectares
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Stage B covers 29 hectares
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Stage three covers 24 hectares
Urbanco last week asked the vessels docked in the area to be removed from the area as soon as possible to start work on Site B. Urbanco said it will allow the vessels to be docked outside the area.
The dredging work was delayed due to delays in the moving of vessels parked in the area.
The second phase of the project was originally planned to build an international-class cruise terminal. The site was to be built including the sea canal on the west side of the second phase of Hulhumale. Urbanco had earlier said that large companies with experience had expressed interest in the terminal.
However, the government decided to change the entire master plan and dredge the second phase of the lagoon for housing instead.
According to the agreement signed between Urbanco and CMC, it has been decided to reclaim Hulhumale lagoon as well as Dhiyaneru lagoon and an area in Thilafushi lagoon.
