The Construction Ministry has contracted the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) to develop the water and sewerage systems in the newly reclaimed area of Kaafu Maafushi, known as "New Maafushi."
Under the agreement signed with MWSC, the project involves establishing water and sewerage networks in the newly reclaimed area, as well as upgrading the existing sewerage system on the main island.
MWSC is the current provider of water and sewerage services on Maafushi.
Maafushi is one of the most successful hubs for local tourism in the Maldives, boasting the country's most extensive guesthouse industry. While the island covers 41.2 hectares, the newly reclaimed area adds an additional 30.7 hectares of land.
Although Maafushi has a registered population of 2,274, the island council estimates that the actual number of residents exceeds 5,000.
New Maafushi was reclaimed to provide housing plots for the residents. The area is designated to accommodate 308 land plots, each measuring 2,000 square feet.
The commencement of this project in New Maafushi comes amid growing concerns regarding reclaimed land across the Maldives remaining unused due to a lack of essential services.
According to reports, land has been reclaimed on over 50 islands across the Maldives since 2007. However, only a few of these areas have seen the development of sufficient infrastructure to allow for habitation.
Even within the Greater Male’ Area, reclamation projects have been completed or are underway in Gulhifalhu, Hulhumale’ Phase 3, Giraavarufalhu, and Rasmale’. Despite these efforts, these areas remain uninhabitable as they currently lack essential utilities such as water, electricity, sewerage, and developed road networks.
