The landmark dredging work for the Hulhumale’ Phase 3 reclamation project is nearing completion at a remarkably accelerated pace, with officials announcing that 98 percent of the task is already finished.
According to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), a staggering 62 out of the targeted 63 hectares have now been dredged, just 45 days after the work resumed in earnest.
At a press conference late last month, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib confirmed the rapid progress, stating the dredging is on track for final completion by 20 January. He further announced that the highly anticipated registration process for the new land will commence later January, with plots to be handed over according to the government's schedule.
This expedited timeline was achieved through significant government intervention. To overcome previous delays, two large dredgers, each with a massive 22,000 cubic metre capacity, were brought in. Work officially restarted in November 2025, utilising advanced equipment like Boskalis' train suction hopper dredger to ensure the project stayed on schedule.
The urgency of the project is directly tied to alleviating the housing crisis in the Greater Male’ region. The drawing lots for the 'Binveriyaa' housing scheme land plots has already been conducted, and with dredging nearly complete, the allocation of 698 plots of various sizes is now imminent.
Once finished at Hulhumale’, the large dredgers will be redeployed to other major reclamation projects in Rasmale’, Giraavarufalhu, Uthuru Thilafalhu, and Gulhi Falhu, marking a significant step forward in the government's broader strategy to address housing shortages.