Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has formulated a policy to address the issue of abandoned vessels in the Thilafushi lagoon. The government is reclaiming land and developing Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu in Kaafu Atoll to develop the area into an industrial hub.
HDC stated that it is solving the various issues arise as the project progresses, noting that the current problem involves the large number of vessels that have been left abandoned in the Thilafushi lagoon. The company stated that the vessels are a hindrance to the master plan and is also causing environmental damages.
The policy formulated to address the issue consists of steps HDC will take to determine which vessels are abandoned and move any vessel that is causing environmental damages and hindrance to workers. As such, HDC will work to identify the owners of the vessels and leave them in their location for 7-30 days, after which the company will take action and move the vessels. It also states that the company will not take responsibility for any damages incurred on vessels during the transfer.