The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has reported significant progress in the Ras Malé development initiative, with over 52 hectares of land reclaimed to date. Spearheaded by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration, the project aims to address long-standing housing shortages through sustainable and innovative reclamation strategies.
As of 9 March, HDC has confirmed the successful reclamation of 52.15 hectares of land across four designated zones in the Fushidhiggaru Falhu lagoon—Areas D, F, G, and L. These newly reclaimed sections, according to the HDC, represent key progress toward the goal of reclaiming 378 hectares from these zones.
The scope of reclamation extends beyond these areas. HDC reports that another 29 hectares have been completed in Area J. Collectively, these milestones underscore the scale and ambition of the Ras Malé project, which seeks to transform 1,153 hectares of lagoon into usable land.
Work on the Ras Malé project commenced on 18 December 2023 and is organised into 12 sections within the lagoon. Progress remains steady, with HDC currently employing measures to mitigate environmental impacts, including relocating coral from targeted areas.
Accelerating the timeline has emerged as a priority for the administration. President Dr Muizzu recently outlined plans to deploy additional dredgers and equipment in 2025, promising to double or triple the pace of ongoing efforts. Collaboration with additional companies is also under consideration to enhance operational efficiency, according to government sources.
More than a reclamation effort, the Ras Malé development reflects a broader vision for urban transformation. The creation of over 65,000 housing units across newly reclaimed areas represents a systematic approach to tackling housing deficits while fostering sustainable growth by President Dr Muizzu's administration.