The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has begun land dredging for the Alifushi Airport Development Project. The works were launched by Parliamentarian Mohamed Rasheed Hussain.
The airport to be developed in Alifushi, Raa Atoll, will be built by dredging a large portion of the lagoon on the island. The project was awarded to MTCC by the Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure in late 2021. As per the contract, MTCC must complete the project within two years. It is the first time a state-owned company has been awarded such a large scope project at once.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTCC Adam Azim said the land will be dredged not only for the airport development but also for housing for the residents of Alifushi. Azim said the project will put an end to the transportation inconvenience to the people. He stated the USD29.2 million project is the largest infrastructure development project undertaken by a local company and that once completed, reclamation will add 96 hectares of land to the island.
The scope of the works involves reclamation operations of 50.5 hectares, construction of a 2,871m revetment, a 480m groyne, as well as the construction of a 1,200m runway, apron, taxiway, and service roads, terminal building, fire building, installation of firefighting equipment and a 655m security fence. It also includes coastal protection of the airport development area. The project was contracted to be completed within two years.