The 2,000-housing unit project in Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi, inaugurated ahead of the recent local council elections, has been declared "dead and buried" by locals as construction remains stalled.
The project was initially handed over to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in August 2025. Subsequently, the foundation stone was laid on April 1, just as elections loomed, following a contract with an Indian firm.
Residents of Kulhudhuffushi, known for their political satire, woke up early this morning to find a mock grave and shrine constructed at the site where the foundation stone was laid.
"The government has no intention of carrying out this project, nor do they have the capacity. This was just a glittering lure to deceive the people for votes. It is a massive lie," a resident of Kulhudhuffushi told Adhadhu.
The construction of 2,000 housing units in Kulhudhuffushi was a key presidential pledge of President Mohamed Muizzu. Following his election, Muizzu reiterated this commitment during a visit to the island ahead of the parliamentary elections.
"Therefore, we will prioritize the development of this city under any circumstances. We will give it high priority. During the campaign, I pledged to build 2,000 housing units. That is included in the budget," Muizzu stated in February 2024.
At the time, he also assured that the project would commence within the year 2024.
"There is a project that has been signed but not yet started. Excluding those two projects, I spoke of the 2,000 housing units. The Mayor just highlighted those two projects. Therefore, along with those two, our plan is to proceed with the additional 2,000 housing units within this year," he said.
Following these remarks, an agreement to proceed with the project was signed with HDC during another presidential visit to Kulhudhuffushi in August 2025. On that day, Muizzu pledged that physical work would begin before the end of 2025.
"The Finance Ministry has now cleared the path for this. God willing, within this year—by December at the latest—we will begin the practical work of this project in this city," Muizzu said.
After HDC failed to move forward with the project, it was later contracted to an Indian company, Team One India Private Limited. The foundation stone for the project was laid on April 1, 2026.
However, to date, no physical work has commenced on the project.
