Land reclamation and lagoon dredging works are progressing in K. Dhiffushi as part of a major MVR 157.33 million infrastructure project aimed at addressing land shortages and protecting the island from coastal erosion.
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), which is carrying out the project, said work is advancing on the development, which will significantly expand the island’s land area while strengthening its coastline against the effects of waves and erosion.
Under the project, approximately 22.97 hectares of land will be reclaimed from the surrounding lagoon, creating additional space for the island’s future development.
The reclamation component is intended to address the limited availability of land in Dhiffushi, where geographical constraints have presented challenges for housing, infrastructure and other development needs.
Alongside the reclamation works, the project includes extensive coastal protection measures designed to safeguard both the existing island and the newly reclaimed areas.
According to MTCC, the scope of work includes the construction of a 710-metre revetment and repairs to 300 metres of the island’s existing revetment structures.
The project also involves the installation of 670 metres of groynes, together with an additional 270 metres of groynes along the island’s current boundary.
Revetments are protective structures built along shorelines to reduce the impact of waves and prevent erosion, while groynes help manage the movement of sand and sediment along the coast.
These measures are intended to provide longer-term protection against shoreline deterioration and the effects of swell waves, which have affected parts of the island.
The government awarded the project to MTCC for MVR 157.33 million, with a contractual implementation period of 450 days.
Physical works officially commenced on October 28, 2025, during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to Dhiffushi as part of his tour of several islands in Kaafu Atoll.
The project also represents the implementation of a commitment made by President Muizzu to Dhiffushi residents during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
Land reclamation was among the major development priorities he pledged to address on the island, with the initiative intended to provide additional space for the community’s future needs.
Dhiffushi, located in Kaafu Atoll, is a growing inhabited island where residential development and tourism-related activities have increased the importance of available land and reliable coastal infrastructure.
Like many islands across the Maldives, Dhiffushi faces the challenge of balancing development needs with the limitations of its natural geography.
Land scarcity has been a longstanding concern for numerous inhabited islands, particularly as populations grow and demand increases for housing, public facilities and economic infrastructure.
Reclamation projects have consequently become an important part of the country’s infrastructure development strategy, allowing islands to expand beyond their existing boundaries.
However, newly reclaimed areas also require appropriate coastal protection measures to reduce exposure to waves, currents and erosion.
The Dhiffushi project combines both elements, with the reclamation works aimed at increasing usable land and the coastal structures intended to protect the shoreline.
MTCC said the ongoing works are progressing rapidly as the company continues implementing the project’s dredging, reclamation and coastal protection components.
Once completed, the development is expected to provide Dhiffushi with additional land for future use while addressing existing problems associated with swell waves and beach erosion.
The project forms part of broader government efforts to improve infrastructure and living conditions across inhabited islands, particularly in communities facing land shortages and coastal vulnerabilities.
