Hulhumalé phase 3 land reclamation to begin in September

Land reclamation of 63 hectares in Hulhumalé Phase 3 is set to begin in September.

The project has been awarded to the Netherlands-based firm, Boskalis.

"It is estimated that dredging will begin during the first week of September," a source said.

However, Urbanco has not provided any comments regarding the matter, or disclosed details of the project.

Urbanco has taken the initiative to extend its land reclamation activities to cover the entire area lagoon situated north from the end of the north-western section of the tunnel which house the bridges connecting the two phases of Hulhumalé. Additionally, Farukolhufushi will also become integrated into the reclaimed land.

In a statement, Urbanco has instructed vessels currently docked at the Hulhumalé Phase 2 lagoon, as well as any submerged boats within the lagoon, to be vacated. The organization has outlined a ten-day window starting from today for the responsible parties to undertake the removal of these vessels.

Urbanco said that that if the vessels are not removed within the given timeframe, they will be subject to the same procedures as those applied to vessels left within the lagoons of Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu.

The government has made the decision to allocate land plots to over 19,000 individuals from Malé city, which includes plots from the reclaimed area of Hulhumalé Phase 3, which is approximately 1,400 plots.

The initial phase of Hulhumalé land reclamation began in 1997 during the administration of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Subsequently, the second phase of reclamation was carried out in 2014 during former President Abdulla Yameen's presidency.