Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded five major infrastructure projects worth a combined MVR 937.35 million, covering land reclamation, coastal protection and harbour development across the country.
The agreements were signed with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development at Dharubaaruge, with State Minister Ismail Hameed signing on behalf of the Ministry and MTCC Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Jamsheed representing the company.
The projects cover K. Maafushi, Sh. Funadhoo, K. Gaafaru, GDh. Madaveli and F. Dharanboodhoo, with individual completion periods ranging from approximately one year to 630 days.
Maafushi to gain 25 hectares of additional land
One of the projects will significantly expand K. Maafushi, one of the Maldives’ largest local tourism destinations.
MTCC has been contracted to reclaim 25 hectares of land and undertake coastal protection works at a cost of MVR 267.87 million.
The scope includes construction of a 724-metre revetment, 356 metres of groynes and a 162-metre breakwater. The project is scheduled for completion within 390 days.
Maafushi has a population of 2,408 and has developed into a major centre of the country’s guesthouse tourism industry. The additional land is expected to provide space to address housing constraints while creating room for further economic and infrastructure development.
Funadhoo reclamation project valued at MVR 342.99 million
The largest of the five contracts by value is the second phase of land reclamation and coastal protection in Sh. Funadhoo.
Under the MVR 342.99 million project, MTCC will reclaim 26.55 hectares and construct 3,284 metres of geobag revetment and 50 metres of geobag groynes.
The company has been given 510 days to complete the works.
Funadhoo, with a population of 4,186, is the administrative capital of Shaviyani Atoll. The island also hosts the atoll’s domestic airport, increasing its importance as a transport and service centre for surrounding communities.
Expanding the island’s available land is expected to help address housing requirements and provide additional space for future development.
Gaafaru harbour to undergo major repairs
MTCC will also undertake an extensive repair of the harbour in K. Gaafaru under a contract valued at MVR 79.48 million.
Works include dredging 97,214 cubic metres, construction of a 468-metre breakwater, repairs to 437 metres of existing quay wall and installation of a further 220 metres of quay wall.
A four-metre-wide jetty will also be developed as part of the project, which has a completion period of 480 days.
Gaafaru has a population of 1,675 and has traditionally depended on fishing, while guesthouse tourism has also grown in recent years. Upgrading the ageing harbour infrastructure is expected to improve maritime access and provide better facilities for vessels using the island.
Larger harbour planned for Madaveli
A comprehensive harbour development project has meanwhile been awarded for GDh. Madaveli, valued at MVR 173.39 million.
MTCC will dredge 92,540 cubic metres from the harbour and entrance channel and another 11,840 cubic metres for a boat beaching area.
The project also involves a 253-metre revetment, 383 metres of quay wall, a 535-metre breakwater and 496 metres of sand-filled revetment. A further 367 metres of existing quay wall will be repaired.
Additional infrastructure includes a 150-metre-long, two-metre-wide jetty and a 20-metre-long, three-metre-wide bridge.
The project has the longest implementation period among the five contracts, with completion scheduled within 630 days.
Madaveli, home to approximately 2,095 people, is known for its fishing activities. The expanded harbour is intended to provide greater operating space and allow multiple vessels to use the facility simultaneously.
Coastal protection planned for Dharanboodhoo
In F. Dharanboodhoo, MTCC has been contracted to address significant coastal erosion through a MVR 73.62 million shore protection project.
The works will include beach replenishment using 81,376 cubic metres of sand, alongside construction of an 895-metre breakwater and 484 metres of groynes.
The project is expected to be completed within 360 days.
Dharanboodhoo has a population of approximately 600, with fishing and agriculture forming important parts of the local economy. The project is intended to protect the island’s shoreline and address erosion affecting its beaches.
The latest contracts further expand MTCC’s portfolio of infrastructure projects across the atolls. The state-owned company is one of the country’s principal contractors for harbour construction, dredging and reclamation, coastal protection, road development and other civil infrastructure works.
The five agreements also follow another group of projects recently awarded to MTCC for infrastructure works in HA. Kelaa, HA. Muraidhoo, B. Kihadhoo and Dh. Bandidhoo.
For the Maldives, harbour development and coastal protection remain particularly important due to the dispersed geography of island communities and their dependence on maritime transport. At the same time, erosion and limited land availability have driven continued investment in reclamation and shore protection projects across the country.
