Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom has revealed Elaa, Thaa Atoll is no longer under the mandate of the ministry for tourism development, after the island was included in the link of the proposed Veymandoo-Kinbidhoo Causeway Project.
The project to link Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo in Thaa Atoll with a 4.6km causeway was included in the State Budget for 2022. The project aims to establish convenient means of transport between the two islands, which have a combined population of over 2,700.
Speaking at the Parliament of the Maldives, Tourism Minister Mausoom revealed the uninhabited island of Elaa, which is located between Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo, will be linked under the causeway project. Therefore, the minister revealed the island is no longer under the mandate of the tourism ministry, despite being announced earlier for resort development.
The tourism ministry had announced the opening of five islands in Thaa Atoll for tourism development. Following the removal of Elaa from the project, resorts will be developed in four of these islands.