Half of the Rasmale' land reclamation project has been completed, Housing Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib said today.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office, Minister Muththalib said more than 50 percent of the reclamation work covering about 504 hectares, had already been completed.

“Relatively speaking, it is the size of Hulhumale' Phase one and Phase two  combined. Work on the remaining area is ongoing,” he said.

According to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), a total of 1,150 hectares will be reclaimed for the project.

However, the minister cautioned that timelines could shift due to rising fuel costs and difficulties in procuring construction materials linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Under the government’s housing plans, 25,000 plots are to be allocated in Rasmale', with 15,000 plots to be issued in the first phase.

Minister Muththalib said reclamation work is expected to be completed by the time the ministry finish evaluating applications submitted under the housing scheme.

The deadline for applications for land and flats under the first phase has been extended to 31 May.

The government plans to allocate 7,900 flats and land plots of 1,250 square feet under the Family Housing Programme.

Of these, 4,000 flats are designated for Male' residents, 1,500 for non-residents and 2,400 for special categories.