Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) confirmed on Thursday that the reclamation project for the construction of an airport in Hoarafushi, Haa Alif Atoll, was completed.
Utilising Maldives' largest dredging ship 'Mahaa Jarraaf', the reclamation phase concluded last Friday.
MTCC revealed that 345,500 square meters of land was reclaimed, at a cost of MVR 67 million.
The reclamation project was initiated in April 2019. It was previously scheduled to be completed by July.
According to an MTCC spokesperson, the company has commenced construction of the airport following reclamation.
Set to finish early next year, the company was awarded the airport development project for MVR 198 million.
MTCC was originally contracted during President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration to reclaim land in Maafinolhu, Haa Alif Atoll, to construct the airport.
However, with the change in government, the incumbent administration opted to select Hoarafushi lagoon for the airport instead.
Certain councils of Haa Alif Atoll raised concerns that the Hoarafushi area was not best suited for reclamation for the airport.
The councils further alleged that this decision was made with illicit political influences.
The administration denied these allegations.
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