The government has started clearing the land to be allocated for Male' residents from reclaimed suburbs, Hulhumale'.
In June last year, the government opened the opportunity for Male' residents to apply for 3,000 out of 5,000 plots to be issued to Male' residents from the Greater Male' Area, and an additional 4,000 flats. The deadline for application expired on October 15. The government expects to announce the recipients of the land plots mid-year.
The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Planning Ministry started clearing the land on Thursday. The plots will be issued from different areas in Hulhumale' Phase II.
HDC said the Housing Ministry is preparing to announce the names of those who have received land under the scheme in March this year.
"The work is currently being done to clear and level the land. Final preparations are underway to allocate the land. Utility services are also being established," the HDC said.
A total of 35,861 applications were submitted under the Gedhoruveriyaa and Binveriyaa schemes. While 15,164 applications were received for the 5,000 plots of land, 14,489 applications were received for three-bedroom flats. A further 6,208 applications were submitted for two-bedroom flats.
Three sizes of plots will be allocated under the 'Binveriyaa Scheme'. This includes 1,000 plots from Hulhumale' and 2,000 plots from Gulhifalhu. Any Male' resident who does not own 600 sqft of land and would not inherit land of the size can apply for these plots. The minimum plot size for an individual is 1,250 sqft, and an additional 400 sqft for each additional person in case of joint application. A total of 4,000 sqft will be allocated if the application is submitted by more than seven people.
The land allocation policy first defined Male' residents as a person who has never been registered in any island other than Male'. However, the Planning Ministry last week amended the regulations such that Male' residents who were registered elsewhere in the past due to a government policy can apply for the land plots if their mother or father is a Male' resident.
