Hulhumale Phase 3 reclamation suspended for 10 months despite July deadline

Jul 7, 2025, 10:51 AM
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a project site in the Male' region. -- Photo: President's Office

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a project site in the Male' region. -- Photo: President's Office

The land reclamation in Hulhumale' Phase 3 has been suspended for the past ten months despite a deadline to complete the project by the end of this month.

Delivering the presidential address earlier this year, Muizzu said the reclamation will be completed by the end of July.

During a press conference on May 3, he reiterated the deadline and guaranteed that land plots will be handed over as soon as reclamation is completed.

"HDC has given me the latest update that it will be completed by the date I mentioned in the presidential address," he said.

Satellite image showing progress of work in Hulhumale' Phase 3.
Satellite image showing progress of work in Hulhumale' Phase 3.

Satellite image showing progress of work in Hulhumale' Phase 3.

According to satellite images and information from other sources, project work was last carried out in September last year.

Satellite photos confirm that no work was done for the reclamation after Muizzu's presidential address.

The project was launched after changing the master plan of Hulhumale' to reclaim a total area of 63 hectares. The project has been suspended many times before.

Land reclamation began in September 2023. After a subsequent pause, the government resumed work in January 2024.

At the time, political appointees toured the project site and posted photos and video updates on social media. However, the work did not proceed as planned.

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