Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has commenced fieldwork for the land reclamation and shore protection project in Dhaandhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
MTCC stated that the reclamation operations are underway for the Dhaandhoo Land Reclamation and Shore Protection Project. The state-owned company stated that land reclamation will be completed next month and that the work to develop shore protection structures will begin afterwards.
The Land Reclamation and Shore Protection of Dhaandhoo was contracted to MTCC by Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in November 2020. The scope of the project consists of dredging and reclamation operations of 25 hectares, construction of a 1,238m rock boulder revetment, and 240m groynes. MTCC is tasked with completing the project at a cost of USD12 million.
Dhaandhoo has a population of 2,000 residents. A land reclamation project was conducted years earlier for residential housing and for the establishment of essential services. However, the new land reclamation project commenced in response to the increasing population in the island. Additionally, the project aims to increase the economic prospects of the island, which currently relies on fishing, by leasing land to businesses.