The government has reclaimed more than 215 hectares of land for Rasmalé, a sweeping infrastructure initiative launched in 2023 to confront acute housing and spatial shortages in the Malé region. Officials at the Housing Development Corporation said the recent deployment of two additional vessels, including one of the world’s largest hopper dredgers, has accelerated progress toward the project’s target of 1,009 hectares.
The reclamation, divided into 12 zones, is being carried out by three international firms. Sri Lanka’s Capital Marine and Civil Construction has completed its 29‑hectare assignment, while Mohan Mutha and China Harbour Engineering continue with their respective contracts, together reclaiming more than 150 hectares of their allocated volume.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has indicated that the reclamation phase is scheduled to conclude by March 2026, when the government expects to finalise the list of land recipients. His administration intends to distribute 25,000 residential plots within the reclaimed territory, with 15,000 allocations already confirmed in the initial phase.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning has invited consultants to prepare a feasibility study for a transport master plan, intended to establish a sustainable transit network linking Malé to Rasmalé. Officials envision the reclaimed land as an 'Eco City', positioned to launch housing and economic projects immediately upon completion.