Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure, on Monday, revealed that reclamation work in Gulhifalhu, Kaafu Atoll, was completed for the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project (GMCP).
As per the ministry, efforts are now ongoing to install revetments following the reclamation of six million cubic metres of land.
The first phase of the Gulhifalhu reclamation project was contracted to the Dutch dredging company, Boskalis Westminster Contracting Ltd, for USD 53 million (MVR 817 million) without the mandated bidding process.
The ministry stated that Boskalis would conclude all contracted work by March.
Overall, the cost of the Gulhifalhu reclamation project under the planning ministry's masterplan is estimated to reach USD 120 million (MVR 1.86 billion).
Intended to facilitate the relocation of the Male’ Commercial Port and create accommodation for 40,000 expatriates, the ongoing Gulhifalhu project was approved by the government on May 6, 2020.
The planned 'Trade Facilitation and Transport network' also involves the construction of multiple bridges to facilitate interconnectivity between the Greater Male’ region, linking capital Male’, firth ward Vilimale’, reclaimed suburb Hulhumale’ and Gulhifalhu together.
The bridge links, as well as the Gulhifalhu reclamation project, has come under heavy criticism from local NGOs, environmental movements and conservationists that assert that the mega-infrastructure project will result in irreversible damage to a fragile marine environment.
Although the current administration maintains its pledge to stand at the forefront of tackling climate change and transition towards a decentralized system, several have expressed discontent over continued investment in centralized and environmentally destructive projects.
The GMC project is the largest project announced in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.
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