President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's visionary Rasmale’ project, designed to provide a long-term solution to the pressing housing and space constraints in the greater Malé area, is steadily advancing, with 182.85 hectares of land successfully dredged to date.
The comprehensive initiative aims to reclaim a total of 1,009 hectares divided into 12 distinct areas, transforming the region into a sustainable ecocity.
Progress reports indicate significant progress from the three main contractors. Sri Lanka's Capital Marine and Civil Construction has been awarded a 29-hectare segment of the project which it has already completed. Meanwhile, of the 394 hectares allocated to India’s Mohan Mutha, 100.6 hectares have already been dredged, with preparations underway to commence work on the remaining areas. China Harbor Engineering has also made substantial headway, reclaiming 53.25 hectares out of its assigned 265 hectares.
President Dr Muizzu, this week, inspected the dredging operations, affirming his commitment to expedite the project. He announced that a 45,000-tonne hopper dredger is expected to arrive this month, significantly boosting the pace of work. The President expressed confidence that the current dredging phase would be completed within the next five months, with plans to accelerate reclamation efforts in the Malé area and various atolls from December.
Speaking at this year's Republic Day official ceremony, President Dr Muizzu underscored Rasmale's potential to offer a permanent resolution to the capital's housing crisis. He revealed plans to dredge enough land for 15,000 land plots within the next five months, with further details on the application process for the plots to be announced in the near future.
Beyond housing, the completion of the Rasmale’ project is envisioned to unlock numerous economic activities under its Master Plan, aligning with the government's 2023 launch of its development as a pioneering ecocity.