The reclamation of the Giraavaru Falhu is expected to be completed by the end of May, with land registries to be issued only after physical dredging is fully finished, according to Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr Abdulla Muththalib.
The Minister said the decision marks a policy shift aimed at addressing public concern following earlier practices where land titles were issued before reclamation was physically completed. He made the remarks during a parliamentary inquiry regarding project timelines and possible plot relocations.
The 169-hectare project is now being carried out by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) after the original contractor completed only 54 hectares. MACL resumed reclamation work on 31 January 2026 to complete the remaining area.
According to the Minister, 44 hectares have already been completed under MACL’s operations, while work continues on the remaining 54 hectares. The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of April.
Due to limited capacity for the originally planned 5,000 plots, 1,114 allocations have been relocated to Gulhifalhu.
Minister Muththalib also stressed that under Maldivian law, land registries can only be issued for fully reclaimed “dry land,” confirming that all titles will be distributed only after completion of the project.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had previously visited the site on 20 March to inspect progress on the ongoing reclamation works.
