A total of 1,913 applications were submitted in the opportunity offered to recipients of plots awarded under the previous government's Binveriya housing scheme to change their plots from the Giraavaru lagoon to Gulhifalhu, the Housing Ministry has said.
In an announcement made on April 7, the Housing Ministry said 1,347 plots would be changed from Giraavaru lagoon to Gulhifalhu, including 193 plots of 1,250 square feet, 663 plots of 1,650 square feet, 487 plots of 2,050 square feet and four plots of 2,450 square feet.
However, the number of applications exceeded the number of 1,250 and 1,650 square feet plots.
But as the number of applicants was fewer than the number of 2,050 square feet and 2,450 square feet plots, all of the requested plots would be changed.
According to a new announcement gazetted by the ministry, the applicants whose plots would be changed would be chosen through a lottery draw, the date for which would be announced later.
The Housing Ministry included a list of the applicants in its announcement with a deadline of 11 pm on May 1 for submitting complaints.
The government cited the lack of space in Giraavaru as the reason for changing the plots.
"As plots had been awarded from Giraavaru without designating adequate land for essential services in the area, and since plots cannot be handed out in the number that was awarded after the Giraavaru land use plan is changed to include these services, some of the plots awarded from the Giraavaru lagoon are due to be changed to Gulhifalhu," the Housing Ministry's announcement stated.
The Gulhifalhu land reclamation project launched by the previous government was completed on April 16. A 192-hectare area was reclaimed from the lagoon by pumping out 18 million cubic meters of sand.
However, the relocated plots are to be awarded from 85 additional hectares to be reclaimed under changes brought to the Gulhifalhu land use plan by the current government, which is seeking financing for the project. It is unclear when the reclamation work will begin.
President Dr. Muizzu pledged repeatedly that plots would be handed over from the same location. The President reiterated the pledge at a campaign rally ahead of the April 21 parliamentary elections.
"I am pledging to hand over the plot or the flat from where it was decided to be awarded, including plots that were awarded from the unreclaimed area, from the lagoon. We remain under that pledge. God willing, we will fulfill that pledge as such," the President said at the time.
