The government has initiated the third phase of a comprehensive road construction initiative in Kulhudhuffushi City, issuing a contract worth USD 6.51 million to the state-owned Road Development Corporation (RDC). Executed under a "design and build" mandate, the project is intended to rehabilitate and modernise a long-neglected road network that has endured years of surface degradation and seasonal flooding.
The contract was formalised on Wednesday through an agreement between the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure and RDC. The work is expected to conclude within a two-year timeframe, with completion set for 730 days from the signing.
Plans call for the resurfacing of 3.4 kilometres of road across the city, but the scope extends well beyond paving. Included in the programme are the construction of pedestrian pavements, installation of a comprehensive drainage system aimed at addressing flooding, application of road markings, and placement of traffic signage.
Kulhudhuffushi City, the most populous island in the northern atolls, functions as a key regional node. Residents from surrounding communities rely on its amenities, including a regional hospital, the domestic airport, and an array of government services.
The current effort builds on RDC's earlier interventions. During the initial phase, 18 roads were paved with asphalt. In 2022, work began on upgrading 24 additional roads to contemporary standards, a trajectory that signals a sustained governmental commitment to urban renewal and public service delivery.