Hulhumale’ Phase 3 Reclamation Nears Completion, 98% Dredged

News

The Hulhumale’ Phase 3 reclamation project is nearing completion, with officials announcing that 98 percent of the dredging work has been finished. According to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), 62 out of 63 hectares have now been dredged, just 45 days after work resumed.

At a press briefing, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib confirmed the accelerated progress and stated that dredging is on track for final completion by 20 January 2026. The registration process for the new land plots is scheduled to begin later this month, with allocations following the government’s timeline.

The expedited progress was achieved through significant government intervention, including the deployment of two 22,000-cubic-metre capacity dredgers and the use of advanced equipment such as Boskalis’ train suction hopper dredger. Work officially restarted in November 2025 to overcome previous delays.

The project is a key part of efforts to alleviate the housing crisis in the Greater Male’ region. Drawing lots for the ‘Binveriyaa’ housing scheme have already been conducted, and 698 land plots of varying sizes will soon be allocated to beneficiaries.

Following the completion of Hulhumale’, the large dredgers will be redeployed to other major reclamation projects in Ras Male’, Giraavarufalhu, Uthuru Thilafalhu, and Gulhi Falhu, supporting the government’s broader strategy to tackle housing shortages nationwide.