Ras Male will be zero-carbon, safe island, pres says

As per his electoral pledge, President Mohamed Muizzu stated that the Ras Male reclamation project on the Fushidhiggaru lagoon will develop based on a zero-carbon, safe island concept.

He made the remarks during the commencement ceremony of the Ras Male land reclamation project today.

According to the president, Ras Male is being built as a safe island with adequate area to fulfil international standards. He also stated that there would be three metres above him in the middle and approximately two metres above on either side, indicating that it would surpass the height designated as a secure island under international criteria.

President Muizzu stated that eco-friendly methods would be employed to build all the facilities developed in Ras Male, adding that the development plans would create a green and comforting atmosphere.

The president stated that Ras Male will be an eco-friendly, green, and eco-city powered by renewable energy, detailing that vehicles operating in Ras Male would be powered by environment-friendly or clean energy.

He also stated that Ras Male will be designated as the Maldives Eco City when marketed worldwide.

He further indicated that Ras Male will develop as a convenient place for all members of society, adding that Ras Male would be accessible for people with disabilities. Roads, public grounds, buildings, and other developments will be inclusive and accessible, so people with disabilities can readily participate and enjoy themselves.

Highlighting that the city developed as Ras Male at Fushidhiggaru lagoon would result in the reclamation of 1,150 hectares of land, the president reaffirmed his pledge to complete the project within eight months of commencement. It would generate a land mass approximately three times the cumulative area of the two phases of Hulhumale, becoming the nation's most extensive land reclamation project ever undertaken, he added.

During the ceremony, the president also announced that an additional 85 hectares from Gulhifalhu with a bridge connection and 50 hectares from Giraavaru Falhu would be reclaimed. He stated that once Hulhumale, Ras Male, Gulhifalhu, and Giravaru Falhu are connected, they will pave the way towards resolving the Malé region's housing crisis.

Sri Lanka's Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMC) has been awarded a contract to reclaim land from Fushidhiggaru lagoon, the flagship housing and urban development project of the new government, despite the opposition-controlled parliament budget removing the funds for the project from the 2024 budget.

The budget proposal for next year included MVR 400 million for the project, but the MDP-controlled parliament approved the 2024 state budget without the funds.

The government has proposed to spend MVR 1.4 billion for the next three years: